When You Write To Me About Medical Problems...

Many of you have written to me regarding medical problems you, or your loved ones, have experienced. Please realize that —

• I cannot make decisions for you.

• I cannot practice medicine long-distance and would be at legal risk were I to try.

• Much as I would like, I can not diagnose and treat you without speaking with you, examining you, and, when necessary, ordering specific tests, including imaging studies.

When you express a desire to know more about an illness or disease rather than (unrealistically) wanting me to manage the case, I do try to respond with some general information, when my time permits.

• The problem with general information is exactly that — the information is general and may not apply to your specific situation. Such information thus could mislead rather than inform.

My own experience is that when patients ask for more “information,” many are actually expressing fears or deep concerns that mere Internet surfing cannot even begin to address.

• The key is to speak with your own doctor. He/she is actually in the best position to answer your medical questions.
  • There are lots of reasons I have heard why people do not ask their doctors questions, e.g., embarrassment.

  • So far, every reason I have ever heard has been a lousy one.

  • As far as I am concerned, there are no good reasons for withholding questions or information from your doctor.

• If your doctor cannot or will not explain matters to your satisfaction, then try switching doctors! This may not be so easy in the current new health care environment, but you should try anyway.

• If you don’t have your “own” doctor, then call the best hospital in your area and make an appointment.

If you are interested in medicine and diseases, then a visit to the library (or a medical shool bookstore!) is appropriate.

• Some patients wind up doing so much reading that they become experts on their own illnesses. And that is fine with me and all the doctors I know.

• There are websites that do provide useful information. I even list some, but certainly not all, of these on my own website.

• Having said that, I don’t think that surfing the ’net is a substitute at this point in time for 4 years of medical school, 5 or more years of residency, and many years of dealing with patients and their families face to face. That is my opinion anyway.

Bottom line — If you have medical questions, ask your doctor. If you don’t have a primary care giver, then please go get one. Your life may depend on it.

revised — December, 1999
reviewed — December, 2002

Points of view —>