Comments on: Medical uncertainty http://www.chrisjohnsonmd.com/2007/07/19/medical-uncertainty/ A doctor's blog on caring for critically ill children Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:42:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Christopher http://www.chrisjohnsonmd.com/2007/07/19/medical-uncertainty/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Christopher Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:22:52 +0000 http://www.chrisjohnsonmd.com/blog/2007/07/19/medical-uncertainty/#comment-11 You're right, Frank -- part of the problem is not patients' expectations of doctors but doctor's unrealistic expectations of ourselves. We're the products of a training system that rewards the fledgling doctor for having an answer (preferably the right one, but an answer nonetheless) and punishes not having an answer. You’re right, Frank — part of the problem is not patients’ expectations of doctors but doctor’s unrealistic expectations of ourselves. We’re the products of a training system that rewards the fledgling doctor for having an answer (preferably the right one, but an answer nonetheless) and punishes not having an answer.

]]> By: Frank http://www.chrisjohnsonmd.com/2007/07/19/medical-uncertainty/comment-page-1/#comment-10 Frank Mon, 23 Jul 2007 05:01:47 +0000 http://www.chrisjohnsonmd.com/blog/2007/07/19/medical-uncertainty/#comment-10 It's refreshing to hear a lab-coat-wearer admit to ignorance and uncertainty. My doctor has trouble with that occasionally and I have to remind him it's okay to shrug now and then. What, like I'm supposed to know everything about participles and case just because I write? I'll bet your patients and their parents are grateful for your honesty, much as they might hope for omniscience. It’s refreshing to hear a lab-coat-wearer admit to ignorance and uncertainty. My doctor has trouble with that occasionally and I have to remind him it’s okay to shrug now and then.

What, like I’m supposed to know everything about participles and case just because I write?

I’ll bet your patients and their parents are grateful for your honesty, much as they might hope for omniscience.

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