Do you also have a hard time trusting a doctor? Let's talk about this problem (Medical Mistrust)

Do you also feel uncomfortable when you go to a doctor and can't tell them everything that's on your mind? Sometimes you can't trust what the doctor says 100%, and you feel a little scared? If you feel that way, it's not just you. Many people in Sri Lanka and around the world face this experience. Trust between a doctor and a patient is very important for a healthy life. Today, let's talk about why this kind of distrust arises, and what we can do to turn this situation around.

Why is there such distrust?

People may have different reasons to distrust a doctor, a hospital, or the entire healthcare system. This is not something that happens overnight.

Simply put, the relationship between a doctor and a patient is very important. If you trust your doctor, you will talk openly about your illnesses and the problems that are on your mind without any hesitation. You will follow the doctor's advice and treatment exactly. But when this trust is lost, the opposite happens. People avoid going to the doctors. They even skip preventive care and screenings and wellness checkups. As a result, serious illnesses are missed early and treatment has to be started after the disease has worsened.

In some countries around the world, there have been incidents in the past where certain groups of people have been forcibly used for medical research without their knowledge. For example, incidents such as the Tuskegee Syphilis Study in America and the story of Henrietta Lacks have created a great deal of distrust in the medical system for generations in those communities. Although these are not incidents in our country, such incidents can raise some doubts about the medical system around the world.

Common reasons affecting the situation in our country

There are several practical reasons for this distrust within the context of our country:

• The doctor doesn't have time to talk: In a government hospital OPD, as well as in some private channel services, there is a large number of patients, so the time a doctor can give to a single patient is very limited. Due to this, the patient does not get time to listen to everything that is on her mind and clarify her questions. Then she may feel, "The doctor did not listen to what I said."
• Communication problems: Sometimes the medical terms used by doctors are difficult for the average person to understand. Also, there may be language barriers. This prevents a good relationship from being established between the patient and the doctor.
• Bad experiences: A bad experience with a hospital or doctor (e.g., misdiagnosis, side effects from treatment, bad reactions from staff) can lead to distrust of the entire system.
• Discrimination:Some patients may feel that they are being treated differently because of their social status, economic status, dress code, or race/religion. This can completely destroy trust.

How do you rebuild this trust?

This needs to happen on both sides. There are things we, as healthcare workers and as patients, can do for this.

What doctors and the health system can do:

1. Listening to the patient: It is important to listen carefully to what the patient has to say and try to understand their fears and doubts. "Black men need to be engaged in a conversation rather than preached to," says Professor Kean Gilbert. This is common to all patients. It is important to make the patient feel like they are part of this decision-making process.

2. Cultural Awareness:The way people view illnesses and treatments can differ across cultures and communities. Training doctors to understand and deal with that diversity goes a long way in building trust.

3. Community Outreach: Instead of waiting for a visit to the hospital, you can gain people's trust by conducting health programs in the community. For example, health clinics and awareness programs held at temples, churches, temples, or community halls build a good relationship between doctors and the community.

4. Telemedicine: Using technology to talk to a doctor from home can be a more convenient and less intimidating experience for some people than going to a hospital. This can bring patients closer to healthcare.

What you can do as a patient:

• Don't be afraid to ask questions: If there's something you don't understand or if you have any doubts about a treatment, ask your doctor. It's your right to ask questions like, "Doctor, what will happen with this medicine?" or "Are there any other options for this?"
• Go prepared: Before you go to the doctor, write down your symptoms and any questions you want to ask. This will help you make the most of your limited time.
• Know your rights: If you are unsure about a treatment, you have the right to refuse it. You can say, "I need to think about this some more," or you can get a second opinion from another doctor.
• Choose a doctor you trust: If possible, choose a doctor who you can talk to well, who listens to you, and who respects you as your family doctor. Some people may find it easier to talk to a doctor of their own race, religion, or gender.

Ultimately, trust between a doctor and a patient is the foundation of a healthy society. Both parties must strive to repair and rebuild this trust where it has been broken.