4 ms·
So, I'm a medical student and I'm baffled by the number of people who come asking for medical advice. It's difficult not to try when you know they're not actual
by thomasfedb 8y ago
So, I'm a medical student and I'm baffled by the number of people who come asking for medical advice. It's difficult not to try when you know they're not actually going to go see a doctor if you refuse to help. Often the questions are fairly simple, or you can find a good summary on the problem to go off. Sometimes it's really common questions - e.g. I've got a cold, do I need ABs?
I do comment on the odd medical post on HN. Usually trying to dispell myths or offer some evidence that helps the discussion - a Cochrane review, or a Lancet article, etc. Occasionally I try to defend the profession, or explain some of the difficulty that doctors are in that leads people to be frustrated with them. I also blog a little, as an outlet for all the crazyness and feelings that come with medical training. That said, you won't be seeing and product endorsements from me.
I don't see any harm in offering reasonable advice or adding a little evidence to discussions. I'm always careful to point out my student status, and not to offer medical advice directly.
- qrbLPHiKpiux 8y agoAs a fellow practitioner, it's reckless to offer any medical advice, opinion or not. You're not licensed and you don't know what you don't know.
- thomasfedb 8y agoInterested to know if you mean "any" in the absolute sense? Is this viewpoint particularly American? Would it not be reckless not to offer advice if I though not doing so would be harmful? Real questions I've been asked: - Can I dissolve these tablets? Turns out the answer was in the Product Information - yes, you can. - What happens if I mix my SSRIs with illicit substances? I don't know, could be bad, please don't, if you do consider standard harm reduction strategies.
- qrbLPHiKpiux 8y agoI'm coming from a legal angle. If you're giving advice without a license, and something happens, just because you gave advice opens you up to liability. I've been practicing a while and have been around the block a few times.
- dsfyu404ed 8y agoGenerally speaking if you're a professional you're open to more liability if you do something on the side (for free or money) and it blows up because it's easier for the plaintiff's lawyer(s) to convince the court you should have known better.
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- dahdum 8y agoI don't see a problem if you're presenting them with more information, but not an expert opinion. Guiding them towards an answer is still very helpful.
- TeMPOraL 8y ago> So, I'm a medical student and I'm baffled by the number of people who come asking for medical advice. My brother is a medical student, and I find myself asking him for opinion on medical issues from time to time. I do that when the problem isn't (or doesn't seem) serious, and I don't treat his answers as if they came from MD. The reason is simple: going to a doctor is an expensive and time-consuming endeavour, whereas I can ask my brother things casually whenever I come visit. If you ain't gonna go to the doctor over something anyway, asking a medical student you know still beats trying to "research" things on the Internet.
- kurthr 8y agoYeah, the classic question to ask a medical student or nurse would be, "should I see a doctor for this?'... some things are problematic and people don't know it (that little red mole that appeared on your skin), and some are common and people don't know it (unless it's cure is advertised on TV).