Act Like a Doctor, Think Like a Patient

Stress

Listening to the Patient

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on January 1, 2019

What patients say is the reason they came to the office may not be the real reason. Many problems cannot be solved. At times the best we can do is just listen.

What patients say is the reason they came to the office may not be the real reason. Many problems cannot be solved. At times the best we can do is just listen.

Play

Medicine by the Numbers

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on June 14, 2018

Doc won't look you in the eye? She can't—she's busy documenting data.

Doc won't look you in the eye? She can't—she's busy documenting data.

Fear

Fake Medical News: The Black Salve

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on May 4, 2018

Why do people who look moderan and reasonable let charlatans treat them with harmful nonsense?

Why do people who look moderan and reasonable let charlatans treat them with harmful nonsense?

Why do some people drive you crazy when they don't have to? And why do some people act better than you could ever expect?

Education

Facing the World

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on February 11, 2018

Why do people spend so much time, effort, and money to make their faces look good? Why do other people hide their faces altogether? What do doctors have to do with it?

Why do people spend so much time, effort, and money to make their faces look good? Why do other people hide their faces altogether? What do doctors have to do with it?

Trust

Shea Butter or Accutane?

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on January 7, 2018

Where do you get your medical information? What do you do when different kinds of practitioners tell you different, even opposite, things? Whom do you trust? Why?

Where do you get your medical information? What do you do when different kinds of practitioners tell you different, even opposite, things? Whom do you trust? Why?

Attention

The Flight Attendant Said My Leg Was Going to Fall Off

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on September 10, 2017

Medical advice should make people feel better, but it's easy to make them feel worse, by only paying attention to what you say, not what they hear.

Medical advice should make people feel better, but it's easy to make them feel worse, by only paying attention to what you say, not what they hear.

Trauma

Listening For Golf Balls

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on July 16, 2017

Why do patients tell doctors things that don't seem relevant? Who cares if they got hit by a golf ball 30 years ago? Patients do! Doctors should too. But they have to listen.

Why do patients tell doctors things that don't seem relevant? Who cares if they got hit by a golf ball 30 years ago? Patients do! Doctors should too. But they have to listen.

Personality

No, Really, I'm a Good Patient!

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on May 21, 2017

You'll never hear a doctor call a patient Good or Bad. Why do patients call themselves one or the other all the time? What do they mean? Why should doctors know about this?

You'll never hear a doctor call a patient Good or Bad. Why do patients call themselves one or the other all the time? What do they mean? Why should doctors know about this?

Forgiveness

I Thought I Was Damaged Goods!

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on May 3, 2017

Why don't many patients treat what they can? Why don't some doctors notice that patients feel hopeless when they shouldn't and guilty when they are aren't?

Why don't many patients treat what they can? Why don't some doctors notice that patients feel hopeless when they shouldn't and guilty when they are aren't?

Guilt

My Baby’s Birthmark Was My Fault

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on April 9, 2017

For doctors, lasers are interesting. Patients who blame themselves for what the lasers will be used for are not.

For doctors, lasers are interesting. Patients who blame themselves for what the lasers will be used for are not.

Attention

Look Out Below!

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on October 23, 2016

It's a good idea to pay attention. It's not a good idea to pay too much attention. But how much attention is too much?

It's a good idea to pay attention. It's not a good idea to pay too much attention. But how much attention is too much?

Attention

Get the Red Out

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on September 22, 2016

Redness of the skin concerns people, but may lead patients to find causes that weren't involved or stop treaments that were actually working.

Redness of the skin concerns people, but may lead patients to find causes that weren't involved or stop treaments that were actually working.

Alcoholism

Having a Reaction to Reactions

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on June 5, 2016

Patients often say they have "reactions" to medications that don't translate into what doctors mean by "allergy."

Patients often say they have "reactions" to medications that don't translate into what doctors mean by "allergy."

Anxiety

Help—My Back Itches!

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on April 13, 2016

So what if your skin itches a little bit? If it doesn't bother you very much, does it matter? To a lot of patients, the itch matters very much. How come?

So what if your skin itches a little bit? If it doesn't bother you very much, does it matter? To a lot of patients, the itch matters very much. How come?

Gender

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Moisture

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on February 3, 2016

Why do most women think they have to moisturize every day? Why do most men have no idea why anybody should have to do that?

Why do most women think they have to moisturize every day? Why do most men have no idea why anybody should have to do that?

Many things all the authorities agree on ain't necessarily so.

Health

My Body Doesn't Like Pills

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on October 11, 2015

Sometimes patients feel uncomfortable about using a medical treatment, but they might not come right out and say so. Instead, they may develop various symptoms that seem to them to be allergy, or intolerance, or some other indication that they had better stop. Convincing them to continue, or finding an alternative, requires doctors to be alert, flexible, and sensitive.

Sometimes patients feel uncomfortable about using a medical treatment, but they might not come right out and say so. Instead, they may develop various symptoms that seem to them to be allergy, or intolerance, or some other indication that they had better stop. Convincing them to continue, or finding an alternative, requires doctors to be alert, flexible, and sensitive.

Stress

Making Patients Feel Worse Without Really Trying

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on September 7, 2015

Doctors can do the right thing and still make their patients feel worse instead of better. It depends on whether they pay attention to what the information they use and pass on means not just to them but to the people they're talking to.

Doctors can do the right thing and still make their patients feel worse instead of better. It depends on whether they pay attention to what the information they use and pass on means not just to them but to the people they're talking to.

Leadership

Hey, You—Get Out of the Water!

Alan S. Rockoff M.D., F.A.A.D. on July 31, 2015

Doctors should pay attention not just to what is wrong with the patient's body, but to what other people are saying about it.

Doctors should pay attention not just to what is wrong with the patient's body, but to what other people are saying about it.