Dr Anujeet Paul is a Cataract and Vitreoretinal Surgeon with qualifications in MBBS, MS, and fellowships in Vitreoretina as well as Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He practices at B B Eye Foundation, Kolkata, and also serves as an Assistant Professor at Vivekananda Institute of Medical Sciences.
He is the co-founder of Doctors For A Cause, a nationwide NGO that conducts health camps across India. Currently, he works as a Consultant at B B Eye Foundation, Kolkata. In a conversation with THIP Media, Dr Paul talks about some common problems that make treatment difficult for a doctor. Read more…
When a patient explains to you about their health problems, what are the most common mistakes they make in their communication?
One of the most common mistakes patients make while explaining their health problems is forming an opinion even before consulting the doctor. Today, many patients are influenced by relatives, friends, or information from social media. This often leads to fixed preconceived notions about their condition, which can make it challenging for the treating doctor to provide an objective assessment and appropriate guidance.
What does health literacy mean to you, and why is it important in patient care?
Health literacy means being able to understand and judge health information properly. Today, misleading or sensational news spreads faster than correct information. This also affects patient care. When doctors and patients do not communicate clearly, patients often turn to friends, social media, or other unreliable sources for answers, which can lead to confusion and wrong decisions about their health.
If a patient is knowledgeable about the basics of their health condition, how helpful is it for the overall treatment procedure?
When a patient is knowledgeable and open to understanding information, it leads to better treatment and greater satisfaction with the outcome. Such patients are less likely to believe unreliable information, avoid unnecessary doctor shopping, and focus more on their illness and the treatment advised.
How much can medical misinformation impact treatment procedures?
Medical misinformation leads to doctor shopping, mistrust, doubt, and constant skepticism. This often causes delays in treatment. When treatment is delayed, the response may be suboptimal, and this poor response is often wrongly blamed on the treatment being ineffective or incorrect.
What are the most common myths or misinformation you see your patients falling prey to?
One of the most common myths I encounter is the belief that cataracts can be cured with eye drops or spectacles.
What is your most common advice to patients to stay away from health misinformation online?
The most common advice is not to trust any health information that is also promoting a product, service, or system. This is often the biggest red flag. Genuine medical advice focuses on patient benefit and evidence, not on selling solutions.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.
