Dr Devyani Mukherjee holds MBBS, MS (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) and an FNB (Reproductive Medicine). She is a Reproductive Endocrinologist with 5 years of experience and is currently practicing at Birla Fertility and IVF, Rajouri Garden, Delhi. She says that medical misinformation can lead to wrong diagnoses and health literacy is the right tool to cope with it.
When a patient explains to you about their health problems, what are the most common mistakes they make in their communication?
The most common mistake people make when communicating with their doctor is providing incomplete or partially concealed information. Patients don’t realise that every information counts for the betterment of their health.
What does health literacy mean to you, and why is it important in patient care?
Health literacy refers to having a fundamental understanding of human health and basic biology. It is essential for individuals to possess this basic knowledge to better comprehend their health issues, understand the prognosis, recognise the importance of adhering to treatment plans, and avoid neglecting necessary care.
If a patient is knowledgeable about the basics of their health condition, how helpful is it for the overall treatment procedure?
When patients are well-informed, they tend to have a better understanding of their health condition, improved adherence to treatment, and are less likely to have sudden outbursts of anger toward healthcare professionals in cases of poor outcomes or death.
How much can medical misinformation impact treatment procedures?
Medical misinformation can lead to confusion and thus misguided patients. This often causing them to blame healthcare practitioners for poor outcomes without understanding the natural progression of their condition.
What are the most common myths or misinformation you see your patients falling prey to?
In the field of fertility and IVF, a common myth among patients is the belief that IVF-born babies may not be mentally or physically normal. Another misconception is that an IVF-born baby is not truly their own child.
What is your most common advice to patients to stay away from health misinformation online?
A common advice I give to my patients is to consult a registered medical practitioner rather than relying on random websites for health information. As I said, misinformation is costly.
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