A recent stir was created regarding a California pediatrician Dr. Bob Sears. Dr. Sears is sympathetic to parents who do not want their children vaccinated. Apparently, Dr. Sears got in trouble with the California State Medical Board for not producing medical records to support a parent’s claim that their son could not take vaccines because of adverse reactions, including “loss of urinary function and going limp,” and instead, just taking the parents at their word and not pursuing it further.
Naturally, this has triggered a debate regarding vaccines, but a secondary debate seems to have erupted regarding the idea of just “taking patients at their word.” Should we as physicians accept what patients are telling us at face value or should we be questioning their motives? In the past, physicians were free to do what we thought was best. But in the age of “patient satisfaction” and “the patient being the captain of their health care ship,” we as physicians have been forced just to take patients at their word, and that has had consequences. The opioid crisis is just one example. Just accepting that a patient’s pain is “10/10” has not worked out well. There is also the issue of secondary gain, such as dealing with workers compensation, auto accidents or pretty much any time a lawyer is involved.
Should physicians take patients at their word or ask questions to verify? I am reminded of an old joke: What’s the difference between an orthopedist and a carpenter? The carpenter knows more than two antibiotics.
Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
