I became a better doctor when I learned to say, "I don't know."
Too
many times physicians fall prey to the M. Deity complex. (My thanks
to Charles Schultz the creator of the Peanuts cartoon for the "M.
Deity" words he gave to Charlie Brown.) It is the temptation to
appear to be all-knowing to your patient.
This
desire to be omniscient may develop for several reasons. The first is
the desire to appear competent to your patient. Unfortunately, as physicians
we too often believe competent means having all of the answers. The
second reason is the desire to be successful; which means fixing your
patient's problems. The third reason is to be in control because you
as the physician believe you know what is best for the patient. (And
of course since I'm not omniscient, for other reasons unnamed.)
Fortunately
for my patients, I learned that they came to see me not for my omniscience,
but for compassionate, knowledgeable care. I learned to say to my patients,
"I am here to help you find the healthiest way to live your life.
It is your body and your life and my purpose is to help support you.
No one else knows what is best for you and the life you want to create.
My job is to help you find the best health resources and help you clarify
where you want to go on your life's journey."
I
am reminding you that your physician and all of your other health professionals
are there as your consultants and resources. They work for you.