Recently on FB there was a lively discussion about this sign that was posted in a waiting room somewhere, it read, "Don't confuse your google search with my medical degree". Some found it funny, some thought it was informational, and I thought it had an obnoxious tone! I googled the message and found all sorts of shirts and coffee mugs proclaiming the same message.
There seems to be something more going on in this proclamation than simply a statement intended to inform or honor one's education. There's an underlying theme of superiority and inferiority going on here and I don't think it has anything to do with education at all! The language is polarizing and flies in the face of respectful communication and collaboration that are so necessary for safe, compassionate care and patient empowerment. I'm not against the hierarchy, but I am against power dynamics that feed our egos.
Discussions about the hierarchy in healthcare can quickly turn into a power struggle. Physicians who have long been at the top of all decision-making are reluctant to share power, nurses face increased accountability in taking more power on, and patients present along the entire spectrum from wanting to be in charge to totally dependent.
Although the old hierarchy makes sense sometimes, (such as during a cardiac arrest with the physician yelling out orders to the team) it has also contributed to ineffective communication and teamwork, poor conduct, and unsafe care. When the hierarchy is toxic these dangerous behaviors are all too common:
Nurses who are afraid to speak up or challenge authority
Physician's who don't know how or when to listen to others' expertise
Patients who withhold information or concerns because they are totally dependent on medical providers.
If we are going to have safe care, healthy workplaces and rewarding careers we need to ask ourselves and each other; What makes the hierarchy healthy? In my opinion we need the hierarchy for clinical decision-making and related use of expertise, but not for egos-driven goals involving power and status.
I'm referring to superiority and inferiority complexes that plague doctors and nurses respectively. Those with more power in the hierarchy falsely believe that they know more about what others need and want and listening is therefore unnecessary. Those on the other end have little faith in the value of their own ideas or observations and hesitate or worse don't speak up.
For the hierarchy to be healthy we need to balance it with collaborative leadership and followership. In such a system, the hierarchy is the structure and the collaboration is the process. The former requires knowledge and skills where the latter requires respectful communication and emotional intelligence. Healthcare professionals must be adept at both. Yes, physicians may lead more often than not and yes the nurses's assistant will follow more often than not, and nurses will be leading and following almost all the time, but we must all be able to do both! And with respect and grace.
Collaborative leaders at all levels are confident and emotionally mature. They use their expertise and authority for optimal clinical outcomes. They are not rattled when challenged by team members and are able to consider new input. If they input shifts care decisions they are grateful and if not they explain their reasoning, making it a teachable moment.
Collaborative leaders understand this dance of being in charge while listening and following as necessary and supporting others so they are able to bring their best to the table. Their egos are in tact and they are using the hierarchy with great wisdom. All the while making healthcare safer.
I have also had patients/family members who got their "medical degrees" from WebMD or the like, and those are who I believe the sign was aimed at. I believe it was an attempt at humor. I have no problem with patients/family discussing what they have read (in fact I encourage it) and educate about web sites (I tell them "Joe Blow on the corner can start a web site and say anything they like, so be sure it is a web site from a knowledgeable person or organization.") I can then (hopefully) refute wrong information and reinforce correct information. Just don't attack me with your WebMD degree please. If it was that easy we would not have to be licensed.
Specializes in Med/Surg, OR, Peds, Patient Education.
Inflated egos are detrimental to good patient care. This is true whether the person who is overly impressed with him/herself is a physician, one of the administration or one of the staff nurses. A superior this attitude undermines those who wish to learn more, without being castigated or demeaned, whether they are other staff nurses or patients. None of us "knows it all," most people want to know more without being made to feel foolish for asking questions. Years ago, one of my wise college professors said, "The only stupid question was the one that was not asked."
I believe that you're reading waaaay too much into the purpose of this sign. You likely do this with everything in every area of your life, creating unnecessary stress and conflict. I agree that the sign shouldn't be in a doctor's office, but I don't believe that it's located in a doctor's office. It was made and posted on social media to be taken in a tongue in cheek manner.
I think it's a funny joke. My mother is a WebMD person and frequently thinks she has a major health problem that in all actuality is something minor. Our running joke is "uh oh, did WebMD figure out you have cancer?"
That being said, how inappropriate to show that joke to patients. I think providers, nurses, and CNAs can all laugh at the joke, but it's insensitive.
I don't think there is anything wrong with someone using the Internet to gain more knowledge about any specific medical or health topic. I believe most people have a vested interest in educating themselves (it's their health, after all). And blind faith is, in my opinion, a rather stupid way to approach this.
The key is in how to present that (from patient to health professional and vice-versa). I understand I will never be as knowledgeable as a doctor (or some nurses), but that doesn't mean I take every words coming out of their mouth as pure gold. A certain dose of skepticism is actually healthy. And when you show up at an appointment with a certain amount of knowledge (that you have researched yourself), it only indicates you are taking things seriously.
I always tell my PCP when I have "looked things up" myself. I don't self-diagnose, but I use it to learn and improve my own knowledge. Could this be perceived as challenging their authority? You bet it can. But that only points out how confident they are about their own level of expertise. The ones that gets annoyed with you only make themselves looks less professional.
Health professional aught to welcome and encourage determined patients. After all, they are their own advocate. Just make sure you redirect/guide them if they are falling off the bandwagon.agree! I'm a nurse and I try not to pull the nurse card, but I also know my body and my history. Trouble is some doctors don't listen to their patients and find out their concerns. I've seen this many times working in the ED. It's mostly education. If the doc doesn't think that the dx is xy or z, than gently explain.
Specializes in Radiology nursing, emergency nursing.
I agree with Dany. I'm a nurse and I try not to pull the nurse card, but I also know my body and my history. Trouble is some doctors don't listen to their patients and find out their concerns. I've seen this many times working in the ED. It's mostly education. If the doc doesn't think that the dx is xy or z, than gently explain.
I don't think there is anything wrong with someone using the Internet to gain more knowledge about any specific medical or health topic. I believe most people have a vested interest in educating themselves (it's their health, after all). And blind faith is, in my opinion, a rather stupid way to approach this.
The key is in how to present that (from patient to health professional and vice-versa). I understand I will never be as knowledgeable as a doctor (or some nurses), but that doesn't mean I take every words coming out of their mouth as pure gold. A certain dose of skepticism is actually healthy. And when you show up at an appointment with a certain amount of knowledge (that you have researched yourself), it only indicates you are taking things seriously.
I always tell my PCP when I have "looked things up" myself. I don't self-diagnose, but I use it to learn and improve my own knowledge. Could this be perceived as challenging their authority? You bet it can. But that only points out how confident they are about their own level of expertise. The ones that gets annoyed with you only make themselves looks less professional.
Health professional aught to welcome and encourage determined patients. After all, they are their own advocate. Just make sure you redirect/guide them if they are falling off the bandwagon.
Dany
Exactly! I think you hit the nail on the proverbial head.
Some of these replies sound as if the patient does not have the right to advocate for self, something we ,as nurses, are supposed to do for our patients.
How can we expect them to advocate without some level of knowledge or being able to let the doctor or nurse know that something isn't right.
Further, of the doctors got it right 100% of the time there would be fewer malpractice settlements. Clearly 100% trust in the hands of someone other than self is not tje way to go. I know I will never, ever, take anything anyone tells me as gospel.
Also, its not about mechanic versus layman, its about the patient knowing him or herself enough to know when they need to seek information or ask questions. And I would most definitely research any problem my car has before taking it to a mechanic, thats called being an informed consumer.
Anyone who has a problem being asked questions needs to look at themselves and figure out why they are bothered by it. Now, thats not to say that doctors and nurses don't have the right to be offended or what have you, but, if you are confident in your knowledge and skill, it wouldn't be a problem. Otherwise, its that ugly ego thing popping up. It goes both ways.
Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
I do think we should encourage patients to educate themselves and be their own advocates. Health care requires everyone's participation. No one appreciates the patient who takes no interest in his own health and well-being. But the flip side is people who read some silly thing, and then want to argue the point with their doctor.
It's not about egos. (Except maybe in some cases.) It's all about safety. By all means do your own research. But then be prepared to discuss it intelligently with the person who has the education and experience that you don't.
We encourage people to learn as much as they can about their diagnosis so it seems disingenuous to then tell them not to consult the Google although sometimes the provider knows the Google search may serve only to further scare the **** out of the already scared patient, and the provider will have to talk them down, as it were.
I can vouch for that. Got myself scared silly a few times but it's a (relatively) small price to pay to be prepared and have a better idea of what's coming (in terms of likely outcome, possible complications, treatments and procedures). And beside, it's been my experience that what you need to pay attention to isn't necessarily what's being said.
:yes:Yes, I think this is a really good article! Thanks for sharing.
I hope that other health care professionals can think about and reflect on these common themes and issues as much as we can in order to sustain a better, more supportive, productive and postitve health care environment for everyone involved.
Great to read everyone's comments. I get the humor as well as frustrations associated with spending time and energy answering questions that are based on misinformation or misinterpretation from stuff found on line. BUT I don't think it would feel funny to a patient who is trying to have some control and learn about his or her health issues (something that we should encourage). Further, when I feel frustrated in such a situation I think it is more about me being tired or not feeling like I have enough time to teach or maybe I feel I haven't done a good job teaching (so my own ego is getting poked.)
I can almost buy that placing such a sign that is private to staff is ok b/c we do need some levity. Then I think, ya know, with all of our issues with toxic cultures and behaviors and with the cutting edge that sarcasm can have, if I were the nurse leader I'd take the sign down. I might not be very popular but could deal with that!
also known as (aka), get it! A google search is just that a search. You cannot put a value on medical degree aka a doctor, nurse, etc. Its experience that will not be found & wont on the internet. Hang your ego at the door is well founded. We are here to work, not exercise your ego. We are all here for the same thing, get your ass in gear and work. Pick your ego off the coat hanger when you finish your shift.
LadysSolo
411 Posts
I have also had patients/family members who got their "medical degrees" from WebMD or the like, and those are who I believe the sign was aimed at. I believe it was an attempt at humor. I have no problem with patients/family discussing what they have read (in fact I encourage it) and educate about web sites (I tell them "Joe Blow on the corner can start a web site and say anything they like, so be sure it is a web site from a knowledgeable person or organization.") I can then (hopefully) refute wrong information and reinforce correct information. Just don't attack me with your WebMD degree please. If it was that easy we would not have to be licensed.