Doctors can be very judgmental with patients, a new study suggests The more unreasonable a person’s beliefs, the more negatively a doctor may view them This is even true of technical health information a person might not be expected to know, researchers said WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- It’s tough to open up to a doctor, even though it’s vital if patients want the best care for what ails them. Why the reticence? People worry they’ll be judged by their doctor if they share mistaken beliefs or false ideas.
Now, a new study finds that’s not an unfounded worry. Doctors really do take strongly negative views of patients who share conspiracy theories or unreasonable beliefs, researchers found. “People worry about their doctors looking down on them -- and it turns out that’s an entirely rational concern,” said lead researcher , an associate professor with the Stevens Institute of Technology.
in Hoboken, N.J. “Our study suggests that doctors really do judge patients harshly if they share information or beliefs that they disagree with.
” For the study, published Aug. 2 in the journal , the research team surveyed more than 350 patients and 200 physicians, asking how they would view people who had a range of different medical beliefs. Some of the beliefs were unreasonable, like, “Drinking carrot juice will cure diabetes.
” Others bordered on conspiracy theory, like, “Medications intentionally cause diabetes as a side effect to create more customers.