Dr Saifa M. Latheef, MBBS, DNB-EM, MRCEM (UK), FACEE, MNAMS, FGID is an Emergency Physician with over 10 years of experience in Emergency Medicine and Trauma. With diverse experiences of senior residency at AIIMS, New Delhi and 7 years of postgraduate teaching experience, she now serves as an Assistant Professor & Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Sharda University, Greater Noida. Her interests include Resuscitation, Point of Care Ultrasound, Cardiac Emergencies, Disaster Medicine, and Infectious Diseases. She observes how inaccurate health guidance can take a toll on patients.
When a patient explains to you about their health problems, what are the most common mistakes they make in their communication?
The main purpose of an effective doctor-patient communication is to improve the care and comfort. Unfortunately, there are several barriers to effective communication, from both sides. Some of them are patient’s fear or lack of confidence, too much misleading information from social media etc. Many times, patients prefer not to disclose certain symptoms which can be crucial for the treatment. In my personal experience, women when compared to men, usually reveal less history and symptoms. Another common mistake patients do is not to reveal their past medical history thinking it is not relevant to the present health problem. Sometimes doctors also avoid discussing or listening to their issues patiently.
What does health literacy mean to you, and why is it important in patient care?
‘Health Literacy’ means literacy in terms of understanding and making the right choice regarding health. Every individual should have a basic knowledge in health, what is good and what is bad, the ability to assess the reliability of any health information, to decide whether to use the information or not, being a responsible patient. The individual must have a basic understanding of the test reports and the common diseases prevailing in our society. They must be able to follow instructions as advised by the doctor and prompt communication of any health-related symptom to the family doctor. They must have the literacy to analyze risk versus benefit of a specific treatment option and seek support when needed.
If a patient is knowledgeable about the basics of their health condition, how helpful is it for the overall treatment procedure?
‘Health literacy’ paves the way forward for better treatment outcome. Proper understanding of the diagnosis of his condition, the awareness of treatment options, better knowledge of the information on the drug labels, the side effects, improved adherence to treatment, all these contribute to better clinical outcome. It empowers the individual as well as the health sector from inaccurate health guidance.
How much can medical misinformation impact treatment procedures?
Very much. Medical misinformation causes delay in seeking preventive assistance as well as curative treatment which not only leads to increased financial burden but also increases the mortality and morbidity. Sometimes, a person can even lose his life due to misinformation.
What are the most common myths or misinformation you see your patients falling prey to?
Any misinformation is more dangerous than information. We witnessed a lot of misinformation and myths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some common misconceptions are- patients’ inclination towards antibiotics and their use as some do not feel content until and unless an antibiotic is prescribed. This shouldn’t be the case as, not all the illness requires antibiotics. Second is, many do not prefer vaccination as they are scared of adverse effects. Vaccination is and always a must. Lastly, many people think that donating blood will make them weak but it’s not true. Blood donation can save lives and we must encourage it.
What is your most common advice to patients to stay away from health misinformation online?
Above all, any information needs a fact check. As I said, a misinformation is more contagious. Not all information available online in social media are true. Every information has to be scientifically backed with evidence and literature reviews. Follow genuine verified channels, blogs and always talk to your doctor. Follow reputed institutional channels for health-related information. Reach out for professional help in case of any illnesses or emergencies.
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