4 questions you should always ask your doctor | Christer Mjåset

TL;DR

This content is about the importance of patients asking their doctors if medical treatments are really necessary.

Transcript

I am a neurosurgeon, and I'm here to tell you today that people like me need your help. And in a few moments, I will tell you how. But first, let me start off by telling you about a patient of mine. This was a woman in her 50s, she was in generally good shape, but she had been in and out of hospital a few times due to curative breast cancer treatme... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤔 Even though most indications for treatments are standardized, there is a lot of unnecessary variation in treatment decisions, especially in the Western world.
• 💉 Research shows that 30% of the time, doctors prescribe or suggest something that is completely unnecessary, and patient pressure is often the reason behind it.
• 👥 Patients need to be more involved in their healthcare decisions and ask important questions such as, "Is this really necessary?" and "What are the risks?"
• 🏥 There is a potential economic motivation involved in treatment decisions, as shown by the higher operation rates in private clinics compared to public hospitals in certain regions.
• ⚽️ The variation in treatment rates for certain conditions, such as tonsillectomy and meniscus surgeries, suggests that there may be factors other than medical necessity influencing these decisions.
• 💡 Sensible patients should also consider turning down unnecessary diagnostic tests and treatments to prioritize those who truly need them, reducing waiting times and improving access to healthcare services.
• ⚕️ Patients should not be afraid to question their doctors and be active participants in their healthcare, advocating for themselves by asking about alternative options and potential outcomes.
• 📚 Research shows that by asking these questions, one out of five patients will change their opinion on what to do, leading to better healthcare outcomes for both individuals and the overall system.

Questions & Answers

Q: What kind of patient did the neurosurgeon mention at the beginning of the video?

The neurosurgeon mentioned a woman in her 50s who had previously undergone treatment for breast cancer and was now experiencing radiating pain in her right arm due to a prolapsed cervical disc.

Q: What did the neurosurgeon suggest as a potential treatment for the woman's condition?

The neurosurgeon suggested an operation to remove the disc and the prolapsed nerve root in the woman's neck. However, he later realized that the operation was not necessary and advised against it.

Q: What is the reason for unnecessary variation in treatment decisions, according to the neurosurgeon?

The neurosurgeon explains that there is a lot of unnecessary variation in treatment decisions, especially in the Western world, despite standardized indications for treatments. He notes that economic motivations may play a role, as private clinics in certain regions may have higher operation rates compared to public hospitals.

Q: How often do doctors prescribe or suggest something that is completely unnecessary?

According to research cited by the neurosurgeon, doctors prescribe or suggest something that is completely unnecessary about 30% of the time. This means that three out of ten times, patients may be receiving treatments or procedures that they do not actually need.

Q: What question does the neurosurgeon encourage patients to ask their doctors?

The neurosurgeon encourages patients to ask their doctors, "Doctor, is this really necessary?" By asking this question, patients can actively participate in their healthcare decision-making process and potentially avoid unnecessary treatments or procedures.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Neurosurgeons often advise against surgery when it may not be necessary, but personal motivations and patient pressure sometimes lead to unnecessary operations.

• There is significant variation in treatment decisions, even when standardized guidelines exist, and patients are often overtreated or undertreated.

• Patients have the power to ask important questions about the necessity, risks, alternatives, and consequences of medical procedures, which can lead to better decision-making and outcomes.