Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Partha Protim Choudhury
Dr Utpal Sarmah, MBBS, M.S. (ENT), is a dedicated Otorhinolaryngologist having special interest in Pediatric airways. With seven years of experience, Dr Sarmah currently serves as a Registrar in ENT & Head-Neck Surgery at Tezpur Medical College and Hospital. In an exclusive interview with THIP Media, Dr Sarmah enlightens us on how misinformation in the medical field effects some patients.
When a patient explains to you about their health problems, what are the most common mistakes they make in their communication?
One common mistake people make when communicating with doctors is avoiding mentioning previous similar illnesses. Another mistake is concealing a history of substance abuse. Similarly, hiding the fact that they are taking medications prescribed by other doctors can be detrimental to effective communication with healthcare providers. Lastly, failing to disclose a history of seeking treatment from unqualified individuals, or quacks, can hinder the doctor’s ability to provide appropriate care.
What does health literacy mean to you, and why is it important in-patient care?
Health literacy is all about understanding one’s physical and mental well-being and dealing with health in a scientific and holistic way.
Furthermore, health literacy is important in-patient care as it creates awareness among patient and their relatives regarding essence of maintaining a healthy lifestyle along with having a basic understanding regarding the nature of a disease, its prognosis, the various management and treatment modalities available and thus affect the final outcome.
If a patient is knowledgeable about the basics of their health condition, how helpful is it for the overall treatment procedure?
It’s very helpful, as it narrows down in arriving at a mutual decision which is beneficial to both the patient and the doctor. Most often it yields a better result.
How much can medical misinformation impact treatment procedures?
Chances are very high. Misinformation in the medical field can occasionally have fatal consequences and may unintentionally influence treatment protocols.
What are the most common myths or misinformation you see your patients falling prey to?
Among the most prevalent myths and misinformation people encounter are: first, relying on internet searches for symptoms, often resulting in heightened anxiety and no meaningful direction; second, succumbing to false promises of complete cures from unqualified practitioners; and third, self-medicating based on recommendations from non-professionals like YouTubers or influencers, leading to potentially harmful consequences.
What is your most common advice to patients to stay away from health misinformation online?
The primary advice I offer to my patients is to always verify the credibility of the information source and ensure that individuals offering medical advice possess the requisite qualifications to do so.
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