Consultant Dermatologist at Dr. Thaj Laser Skin & Hair Clinic, Dr Jyothy Kannangath, MD, DVD, has done specialisation in Laser and Dermatology. Dr Jyothy shares how medical misinformation can lead to serious health issues.
What is the best thing you enjoy about treating patients?
The best thing about treating patient is to bring some positive difference in their lives with the help of my diagnosis and treatment.
When is a patient easy to treat?
An attentive patient who is aware of his disease and understands the consequence is always easy to treat as he diligently listens to his/her doctor and follows the treatment line.
When is a patient difficult to treat?
It gets difficult to treat a patient when there is a lack of clarity about the diagnosis and the patient is not willing to follow the treatment. In many cases, patients have no confidence in the treatment, which makes our job all the more difficult.
How helpful is it to the treatment course, if the patient is knowledgeable about the treatment procedure, benefits, risks etc.?
It is very helpful if the patient is knowledgeable as s/he will be able to understand the nature of the illness and the result that the treatment provides.
How can a patient improve his or her knowledge about the treatment procedure (apart from consulting the doctor, of course)?
It is always better to refer to some reliable sources on the Internet such as websites and research articles to know more about the disease and treatment procedure they are undergoing.
How does medical misinformation act as a problem in the overall treatment procedure?
Medical misinformation is a big problem. Due to the widespread use of social media, medical misinformation is rampant nowadays. The so-called home remedies create the real problems as far as dermatology is concerned. People end up applying all sorts of irritants like garlic, vinegar, tooth paste, etc., to treat their skin issues following such false home remedy claims on the Internet, which results in serious reactions.
A few advice that you always give to your patients (about staying healthy, about escaping misinformation, etc.)
Do not self medicate – Internet can neither diagnose your condition nor treat you. Always consult a doctor and get proper medical advice.
Acquire correct information regarding diet, skin and hair care from reliable sources.
Don’t follow the advice given by social media influencers or youtubers blindly. Getting proper medical assistance is the key.
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