Many of us have had this experience in our doctor-patient relationship. During a routine visit, we’ve brought up something we might have read or heard about, only to have our idea dismissed by our physician without so much as a discussion. We end up feeling foolish or frustrated at what seems like professional arrogance from a doctor we trust. Is it our imagination, or is this judgmental attitude really common among medical practitioners? 

It turns out that we’re not imagining things. Doctors really do form negative opinions of their patients based on some of the points we may bring up or opinions we may express during our visits. The more “out there” our views, the more negative is our doctor’s opinion of us. 

We came across this story on the HealthDay website, in which reporter Dennis Thompson looks at the issue. Based on a recently-released study, patients who feel judged by their doctors aren’t making things up. Doctors can be very judgmental with patients, according to this new study, and the more extreme a patient’s beliefs, the more negatively a doctor may view them. 

At a time when trust between doctor and patient seems critical, this article suggests that physicians need to guard their attitudes if they expect patients to communicate more freely with them. Let’s take a look. Then we’ll ask Rajiv Nagaich for his views. 

Doctor-Patient Relationship: Tough to Open Up 

Thompson begins with the widely-relatable fact that it can be tough to open up to your doctor, even if you know it’s best that you do so. But why is it so challenging? It’s most likely because we hate being judged or patronized, and some physicians are guilty of both. 

“People worry they’ll be judged by their doctor if they share mistaken beliefs or false ideas. Now, a new study finds that’s not an unfounded worry,” he writes.  

Alarmingly, researchers found that doctors really do take a negative view of patients who share conspiracy theories or what the doctors consider are  “unreasonable beliefs” with them.  

“People worry about their doctors looking down on them — and it turns out that’s an entirely rational concern,” says lead researcher Samantha Kleinberg, an associate professor with the New Jersey-based Stevens Institute of Technology. “Our study suggests that doctors really do judge patients harshly if they share information or beliefs that they disagree with.”  

Study of Doctor-Patient Relationship Surveyed Both Groups 

The study, published August 2 in the journal Medical Decision Making, surveyed more than 350 patients and 200 physicians, asking how they would view people who had a range of different medical beliefs. 

Researchers included beliefs that were clearly unreasonable, such as, “Drinking carrot juice will cure diabetes.” They also included beliefs that bordered on conspiracy, like, “Medications intentionally cause diabetes as a side effect to create more customers for insulin.”  

The results? The more unreasonable a person’s health beliefs, the more negatively they were viewed by other people and health care professionals alike.  

“We found that our subjects viewed people negatively if they held mistaken beliefs — but viewed them much more negatively if they held more unreasonable or conspiratorial beliefs,” Kleinberg says in an institute news release. 

Doctors Need Better Training to Treat Effectively 

Researcher Onur Asan, an associate professor with the Stevens Institute, says of the results, “The degree to which healthcare professionals held negative perceptions towards patients espousing misinformation surprised us, and suggests doctors may need additional support and resources to effectively treat such patients.” 

But another result that researchers found interesting was that doctors viewed people negatively even when they expressed mistaken beliefs about more technical or niche health-related topics.  

“That was a surprising result, and frankly a depressing one,” Kleinberg says. “Laypeople aren’t expected to have medical expertise, so doctors often have to correct mistaken beliefs on health issues. That shouldn’t be something that leads doctors to view patients more negatively.” 

Doctor-Patient Openness Dispels Medical Misinformation 

Thompson writes, “Most people hold at least some incorrect health-related beliefs, researchers noted — like taking vitamin C will cure a cold or eating a sugary snack can cause diabetes.”  Another example: many patients are convinced that statins can cause muscle weakness, a side effect most doctors seem to have dismissed until more recently. 

But Kleinberg emphasizes that this only underlines how vital it is that patients feel free to ask doctors for their expert opinion.  

She says, “We rely on our doctors to educate us and help us overcome these medical misconceptions — but that’s only possible if we’re able to express our ideas freely, without fear of being judged when we get things wrong.” 

Doctors Challenged to Improve Patient Safety, Trust 

Researchers concluded simply: these results show that doctors need to do more to make patients feel safe and comfortable.  

“If we want to have clear communication between patients and healthcare professionals, we need to change the way that doctors think about patients who are misinformed,” Kleinberg says. “Doctors need to overcome their tendency to judge patients, and actively encourage patients to share their thoughts — even their incorrect ones — much more freely than they currently do.” 

The American Medical Association offers related resources for physicians here on its website. 

Rajiv’s Response: Choose Your Physician Wisely 

We asked Rajiv to comment on this phenomenon, and his response was emphatic. Bottom line: choose your primary physician with care. 

“I can understand why doctors might get frustrated with their patients,” Rajiv acknowledges. “After all, thanks to the misinformation on the internet, patients probably come in with all sorts of ideas. Doctors have a responsibility to set patients straight and tell us the truth.” 

But, Rajiv adds, that’s not an excuse for physicians to be arrogant or dismissive. “I’ve heard countless stories from friends, family members, and clients about doctors who just won’t listen,” he says. “Even if a patient has a totally legitimate point, if it doesn’t fit the doctor’s preconceived notion, the doc can become irritated or talk down to patients like we’re children. How irritating is it to feel ignored, or patronized, especially as we grow older? We want someone to pay attention and provide the care we deserve!” 

Rajiv’s solution is for seniors to seek out a board-certified geriatrician as their primary care doctor. “In my view,” he explains, “that’s the best way to ensure that your doctor understands aging, and that he or she will take the time to listen and to empathize and to give you age-appropriate care. You’ll be amazed at the difference having a geriatric physician can make.” 

If you’re having difficulty locating a geriatrician near you, please contact us for a referral. 

Rajiv Nagaich – Your Retirement Planning Coach and Guide 

The long-awaited book by Rajiv Nagaich, called Your Retirement: Dream or Disaster, has been released and is now available to the public. Retirement: Dream or Disaster joins Rajiv’s ground-breaking DVD series and workbook, Master Your Future, as a powerful planning tool in your retirement toolbox. As a friend of AgingOptions, we know you’ll want to get your copy and spread the word.  

You’ve heard Rajiv say it repeatedly: 70 percent of retirement plans will fail. If you know someone whose retirement turned into a nightmare when they were forced into a nursing home, went broke paying for care, or became a burden to their families – and you want to make sure it doesn’t happen to you – then this book is must-read. 

Through stories, examples, and personal insights, Rajiv takes us along on his journey of expanding awareness about a problem that few are willing to talk about, yet it’s one that results in millions of Americans sleepwalking their way into their worst nightmares about aging. Rajiv lays bare the shortcomings of traditional retirement planning advice, exposes the biases many professionals have about what is best for older adults, and much more. 

Rajiv then offers a solution: LifePlanning, his groundbreaking approach to retirement planning. Rajiv explains the essential planning steps and, most importantly, how to develop the framework for these elements to work in concert toward your most deeply held retirement goals.  

Your retirement can be the exciting and fulfilling life you’ve always wanted it to be. Start by reading and sharing Rajiv’s important message. And remember, Age On, everyone! 

(originally reported at www.healthday.com)