The myth of the "Informed Patient"

I am a contributor at another blog, called the Women's Bioethics Project. They had a discussion about "informed patients" and people wrote in some relatively self righteous comments. These comments spoke about the informed consumer and chided health care professionals for their inability to "deal" with these patients.
But, what about the other side...
The problem isn't so much that the patient is informed by some websites. The problem seems to be that the informed patient seems to believe that they know more than the health care professional who they came to for help. The problem isn't so much that they know what their options are, but that they think they understand, completely, everything about whats out there. The problem isn't that they are looking to be a partner in their health care relationship, but that they expect to lead the relationship.

I have spoken to far too many healthcare professionals in general, and doctors in particular, who assert that it would be a joy to have a patient who is informed, but that most patients come in with a sense of entitlement that is tempered by 3 pages off the internet written by a "pseudo scientist." Inevitably, this pithy document disparages healthcare professionals, and unfailingly asserts that the medical profession is out to "get the patient." Accordingly, the document cautions and "educates" the patient that it is the patient's right, nay... the patient's duty, to stave off these invaders.

Patients assert that medical knowledge isnt for the elite, and physicians should make an effort to communicate with the patient. Again, the problem with communicating knowledge to the patient isn't that medical and healthcare cannot be taught to most patients, but that most patients see themselves as consumers of the health care system, much like they are consumers of a mcdonalds. The consumer doesnt want to be there long, and expects the result to be perfect. Consumers believe that they have ordered a service and the doctor is merely a conduit to achieve their goal. Accordingly, these consumers believe that and just want what they "ordered" from the doctor. Combine the patient's desire not to "deal with the doctor" with the incentives offered by insurance companies to have doctors see patients in 7 minute time slots, and you have a volatile relationship that virtually prohibits a partnership with the "informed consumer."

The current US system of health care is severely flawed and needs to be revamped. The rich have discovered the mecca of personalized health care based on extended visits and complete access to the doctor. But, for the rest of us, our system prevents us from getting the best
that our doctors can give. This isn't the fault of the doctor (or other health professional), but is in fact a problem with the system and should hence be dealt globally. So, lets stop blaming doctors... and sometimes, just sometimes, say thank you.