Why doctors over estimate their skills

A Tweet that I thought interesting

https://twitter.com/user/status/1465325396287799315

 

Interesting conversation about feedback, too:

"There needs to be a better mechanism to provide feedback. Many of us fantasize abt telling former docs what they missed (I’m being generous) & while I’d never trust them again myself, I’d rather they don’t do the same to another patient. I haven’t seen a good way to do this yet."

Code:

https://twitter.com/zeikonline/status/1466146060821098497

Code:

https://twitter.com/adamcifu/status/1466153161194975232

Code:

https://twitter.com/zeikonline/status/1466168309242499074

Tagging @dave30th for the journal idea.

 

The whole issue could do with wider exploration. Clinical experience really can’t be unbiased for precisely these reasons.

Not many doctors/clinicians recognise their viewpoint for what it clearly must be. Though obviously some do.

A Quote tweet:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1465908195424194560

 

I find it ironic that the list is titled "Why doctors overestimate their skills", and in the last point, the assumption is made that they know more than anybody they are in regular contact with, purely on the basis of what role they play in the interactions they have with the doctor.

 

Yes, @Andy, totally agree. The first 5 points are insightful and realistic. Perhaps even a bit humble. But that last point...

Follow up is a pointy topic for me.

In more voluntary situations where one can consult a naturopathic doctor, or another form of holistic practitioner, if you don't have improvement, get fed up with the "treatment", or can't/won't continue to shell out train loads of money to them, you don't go back.

These practitioners have a few choices if they do think about your case after you've vanished from their appointment book.

I've seen the " I'm a wonderful and clever health care practitioner", belief many times. These people are not always correct in the estimation of their skills.

 

Oh boy, @MSEsperanza

I'd love to do that too - tell those health care workers what they missed. And, the nasty abusive ones....well, I'd love to give them an earful.

 

Even though physicians may spend a lot of their days with people who know less about medicine than they do, this doesn't mean doctors know more than everyone about everything.

However as the initial post indicates, there are a number of factors that lead doctors to over estimate their skills, (and knowledge).