Dr Aishwarya Devaraj, MBBS, MD in Dermatology, FRGUHS, specializes in skin, hair, and nail concerns, including sexually transmitted infections and leprosy. With expertise in procedural dermatology, she offers treatments for anti-aging, acne, wart removal, skin tag removal, corns and calluses excision, hair loss, and pigmentation disorders. She has six years of experience and now serves as a consultant dermatologist. She asserts that inaccurate health information impacts patient’s medical care.
When a patient explains to you about their health problems, what are the most common mistakes they make in their communication?
Most patients have clear knowledge of the issue they face, but few cases have an ‘assumption-based complaint’ which makes them believe that certain unrelated thing might be the cause of their disease, while in reality it might be a coinciding factor and not the actual trigger. Although such cases lesser in number, yet a common mistake.
What does health literacy mean to you, and why is it important in patient care?
Being aware of the organ or the system being affected is the most important sign of health literacy. This guides the patient to reach the respective doctor who is an expert that specific field. This changes the entire outcome of the disease as there is early diagnosis and treatment, reducing the wastage of resource from the patient’s end.
If a patient is knowledgeable about the basics of their health condition, how helpful is it for the overall treatment procedure?
Well, ‘planned work is half done’. Likewise, a well-informed patient is receptive to the treatment orders and cooperative to the investigations required. This makes way for quick diagnosis and thus helps patients attain relief sooner than others who require time for counselling. They always come for follow-ups on time, and this saves them from the disease recurrence.
How much can medical misinformation impact treatment procedures?
Very much. Medical misinformation significantly influences treatment procedures. Having incomplete or inaccurate knowledge can be more harmful than having no knowledge at all. Providing counseling consumes time and energy. Relying on biased opinions regarding procedures based on others’ experiences may reduce the likelihood of receiving appropriate treatment. Patient cooperation is vital post-procedure, as the success of any procedure largely depends on how well the patient follows instructions at home. Maintaining an open mind and adhering to options provided by the doctor is the safest approach for achieving the best outcome.
What are the most common myths or misinformation you see your patients falling prey to?
One of the most common myths patients fall for is relying solely on internet-based knowledge. Many individuals with skin conditions lack a clear understanding of their problem and appropriate procedures. Skin conditions often present with similar symptoms, such as redness and flakiness, leading to confusion. Consequently, they often resort to over the counter (OTC) products, which can exacerbate the condition and result in complications when they seek professional help.
What is your most common advice to patients to stay away from health misinformation online?
The most common advice I provide to my patients is that not all treatments are universally effective. What works for one person may not work for another, especially when it comes to skin conditions. Treatment options for skin issues are highly individualized, taking into account various factors like diabetes, age, gender, family history, occupation, and genetics. Therefore, we personalise treatment plans to each individual’s specific needs. There’s also a concerning trend where individuals without proper expertise advertise skin products and offer ‘free advice’ on social media platforms. Following such inaccurate health information can be risky as these individuals are not qualified skin experts, and it may lead to serious health issues.
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