Is Your Doctor a Spin Doctor?

We are in the Age of Spin as the presidential campaigns percolate along. So much fun to watch! It’s a performance in doublespeak, deflection and distraction that is so obvious, that even a person who knows no English can spot it. I used to get exasperated when I would watch a politician dodge the question posed, but now I view it as pure entertainment. I’m glad I made this transition, particularly since I live in Ohio where we will see more spinning than anywhere else.

Spinning is an old profession.

To those who are unschooled in spinning recognition, keep your ear out for these phrases which are classic spin initiators.

‘…what I will say…’

‘The question we should be asking…’

‘I have always said…’

Let me illustrate.

Reporter: Do you support the president’s Iran deal?

Spinner: The question we should be asking is why are we caving to the Ayatollahs?

Reporter: Do you support a path to citizenship for the 12 million undocumented immigrants?

Spinner: I have always said that this nation must have border security to protect our nation.

Reporter: Do you accept the Supreme Court’s decision legalizing gay marriage as settled law?

Spinner: I am a champion for liberty and I have always said that I believe that this issue should be addressed by the states.

Reporter: Will you say now on national television that you recommend American boots on the ground in Iraq?

Spinner: What I will say, is that if it weren’t for Obama’s leading from behind, we’d never be in this position.

The political spinmeisters are weaving a tapestry that is stretching across the country.

While the medical profession cannot rival the political class in spinning competence, we’ve been known to massage a phrase or two. Have a look.

Medical Truth: Regular exercise has a modest effect on weight loss.

Patient Spin: Once I resume my exercise routine, the pounds will melt off.

Patient Truth: Hey, where’s my doctor hiding?

Administration Spin: If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.

Medical Truth: Proof of efficacy of probiotics for gastrointestinal diseases is lacking.

Health Food Store Spin: After you swallow zillions of good and great bacteria, they become your personal warriors against digestive evil.

PhysicianTruth: The placebo effect is a real phenomenon.

Physician Spin: I think this pill has a good chance to deliver some relief to you.

What's your profession? What yarns have you spun lately?

Comments

When Should Doctors Retire?

I am asked with some regularity whether I am aiming to retire in the near term. Years ago, I never received such inquiries. Why now? Might it be because my coiffure and goatee – although finely-manicured – has long entered the gray area? Could it be because many other even younger physicians have given up their stethoscopes for lives of leisure? (Hopefully, my inquiring patients are not suspecting me of professional performance lapses!) Interestingly, a nurse in my office recently approached me and asked me sotto voce that she heard I was retiring. “Interesting,” I remarked. Since I was unaware of this retirement news, I asked her when would be my last day at work. I have no idea where this erroneous rumor originated from. I requested that my nurse-friend contact her flawed intel source and set him or her straight. Retirement might seem tempting to me as I have so many other interests. Indeed, reading and ...

The VIP Syndrome Threatens Doctors' Health

Over the years, I have treated various medical professionals from physicians to nurses to veterinarians to optometrists and to occasional medical residents in training. Are these folks different from other patients? Are there specific challenges treating folks who have a deep knowledge of the medical profession? Are their unique risks to be wary of when the patient is a medical professional? First, it’s still a running joke in the profession that if a medical student develops an ordinary symptom, then he worries that he has a horrible disease. This is because the student’s experience in the hospital and the required reading are predominantly devoted to serious illnesses. So, if the student develops some constipation, for example, he may fear that he has a bowel blockage, similar to one of his patients on the ward.. More experienced medical professionals may also bring above average anxiety to the office visit. Physicians, after all, are members of...

Becoming a Part-Time Physician

Next month my schedule will change. I will henceforth be off on Fridays with my work week truncated to Monday through Thursday. I am excited to be enjoying a long weekend every weekend. And while the schedule change is relatively minor, this event does feel like an important career moment for me. It is the first step on a journey that will ultimately lead beyond my professional career. It is this recognition that makes this modest schedule modification more significant than one would think it deserves. As some readers know, my current employed position has been a dream job for me. Prior to this, I was in a small private practice, which I loved, but was much more challenging professionally and personally. My partner and I ran the business. Working nights, weekends and holidays were routine for decades. On an on-call night, if I slept through until morning, I felt as if I had won the lottery. And w...

MD Whistleblower

Search This Blog