10 Common Mistakes Young Doctors Make

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Executive Producer: Doctor Mike
Production Director and Editor: Dan Owens
Managing Editor and Producer: Sam Bowers
Editor and Designer: Caroline Weigum
Editor: Juan Carlos Zuniga

* Select photos/videos provided by Getty Images *

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional **

[exvocks]

It's honestly such a relief to have a doctor that actually looks out for and tries to help younger and new doctors, and educating them instead of bullying them for some mistakes.

[GoodOldGamer]

Don't forget to tell them it's never lupus, and that sometimes, you have to go break into a patient's home to investigate and confirm your diagnosis.

[swe]

One of the best comments in the video is "it's only uncomfortable if we make it uncomfortable" that's so true and an important lesson in many areas

[chelseaparrott]

I totally agree with drs not just treating numbers. I was having all the classic low thyroid symptoms and was so miserable. I went in and they ran tests and my tsh was "in the nornal range" but very low in the range. But since i was already having symptoms my dr put me on meds and i felt so much better. I've been on the meds for years now and I'm so glad he cared more about my symptoms than the exact numbers.

[S_Carol]

I'd love to see a video on the "Worst Mistakes Old Doctors Make" now 😆

(I'll point one out: When hearing hooves it's good to think horses first, but you have to consider zebras once you've ruled out the common horses. The majority of experienced doctors tend to push back / avoid / delay this shift in thinking, with serious consequences for the patient.)

[enoraskye]

One that I notice as a patient is, sometimes they are a bit too arrogant about their knowledge and dismissive of the symptoms I try to explain. I get that they have a ton of training, but I had one young doctor who asked me what my symptoms were, he wrote as I spoke, so I thought he was taking notes (turns out he was wrapping something up on a different patient), then asked me some of the same questions I had just answered. I asked if he was listening to what I just shared, and when he said he did, I asked him to repeat what I just said. He got mad at me and told me how many years he went to school, and how much experience he had, and I shouldn't be questioning him. He asks the questions. I left and saw a doctor that doesn't act like a 5 year old.

[TiffanyBeat]

Don't forget to be good to the nurses!!! They know your patient better than anyone. And there's nothing wrong with taking in the consideration of a nurse as long as they have a good explanation. And yes, instead of asking us how the wound looks, LOOK at the wound/issue!
Dr. Mike I need you to go around to all of these hospitals and teach 😂

[blackdew]

What personally grinds my gears is doctors hyper-focusing on whatever their pet agenda is at that moment while failing to treat the problem you are actually seeing them for. Like a GP that i used to have that would go on a 20 minute rant about how smoking will kill me while i'm there with a swollen and extremely painful finger after hitting it with a hammer that she completely ignored.

[RILDIGITAL]

Your points about the importance of patient-centered care, holistic approach and stepping up into leadership roles are spot on. Thanks for reminding us that reassurance and education are a part of medical treatment too.

[whisper]

Another thing that cheesed me off is medical staff blowing obviously problematic symptoms as simply “the patient is simply doing this to themselves psychologically.” Until I got the POTS Syndrome diagnosis from doctors that actually did their job, I had doctors and nurses try to gaslight me and say I was just having anxiety and causing myself to pass out. I knew that was wrong. I’ve had anxiety for *decades* so I know for a fact mine doesn’t get so bad that I *just* pass out. I knew something physical was going on. They wouldn’t listen and didn’t consider history or the other symptoms I had. Meanwhile, I’m terrified of another episode of passing out.

But finally found doctors that would do their job and look into it and found that I had POTS Syndrome. With that diagnosis and understanding of what it is, how it works, what’s going on, what I need to do, I don’t feel fear anymore. And with the guidance of those doctors that diagnosed me, my symptoms have improved and I know how to bounce back quicker from flare ups.

Imagine if I sat there and believed the gaslighting that I was “simply psyching [myself] out.”

[lydiastormberg]

During my preop appointment before my open heart surgery I felt so very overwhelmed. It felt all this was coming faster than I could breathe. My doctor recognized that I was having anxiety attack and they step back and we took each thing at once rather ten things at the same time. To say doctor can’t solve everything at once is very overwhelming I’m grateful my doctor recognized my anxiety and slow down on what we did so it didn’t become so overwhelming

[DR-hcvz]

Thanks for making the STI suggestion. My brother thought he was in a monogamous relationship...right up until he found out he was HIV positive. He was, his partner, as it turned out, was not.

[melissamarino]

WHEN TO BE WORRIED! I love that you mention education as a treatment- 90% of the time when I go to the doctor it's because I recognize that what I have probably isn't serious, but I'm very worried it might be. How much vomiting is too much vomiting? When is the coughing too severe? When should I actually start worrying about that pain? Getting clear indications from a doctor on when to treat at home, when to go to the doctor, and when to go to the emergency room is SO helpful in putting the patient at ease and helping manage their symptoms.

[absentsnz]

I’m 21 and this is so refreshing. I came from a big town to a small town. Been in doctors offices my whole life. My ma passed away from Breast Cancer when I was 14. I’m in the high risk category now. I’ve dealt with my share of issues. Now that I’m in a small town in the middle of nowhere, the medical field isn’t up to par. It’s hard to get help and have a doctor actually look into your issue and not just throw a hand full of pills at you. Medicine has always been a passion of mine, I’m currently in school for medical coding. I see and read about many doctors making mistakes, unprofessional practices, and negligence. I respect those educating both patients and doctors to keep the humanity in medicine, as brough out by Dr. Mike, every little action is important. Too bad we can’t clone Dr M and send him to each and every every medical facility.

[NoewerrATall]

I would like to point out the opposite of focusing on trying to treat a slightly off test result when the patient has no other symptoms. This is my own personal experience. I went to the doctor because I was having some issues that were starting to interfere with my life and my job. I discussed them briefly with the doctor, then he put in an order for blood tests. Okay. I get my blood drawn, and a few days later, I get a text message saying that all my labs are "good" and I'm fine. Um. I was telling you I was having problems, so just because the numbers are "good" doesn't automatically follow that I'm "fine." Thanks for nothing, doc. I haven't been back.

[lopsided]

At 9:55 that's exactly what happened to me, I went to the AE for palpitations and to the GP and got told its possibly because of anxiety and stress (Panic attacks) but I told them multiple times it can't be right, last time I did go to A & E they found out I had hyperthyroidism and I'm so glad that the doctor did take her time and ordered that test

[ronaldhudson]

At the end of a visit to my doctor, I get an "after visit summary" everything the doctor told me is also listed there. Changes to meds, recommendations for visits to specialists anything the doctor says to me is also printed on this paper (also the date and time of my next visit if I set the appointment on exit)

[MrMrayl]

As an inpatient wound care nurse I very much appreciate you speaking to the importance of a good physical exam in wound care (and not just what someone says about it). Thanks!

[alexlibby]

I do love this channel; I do want to say as a woman with chronic ailments, including a rare skull defect, my problem is my doctors doing literally the opposite of everything Dr. Mike just described.
It may be that due to my ailments I have to deal with older, experienced specialists like neurologists.
Due to CPTSD from various events my non-specialists are VERY judgmental. Pushing that I need to see a psych (I have, in a lapse due to insurance currently but on meds) despite disabling physical symptoms, being pushed towards STD/pregnancy/UTI tests, and even when puking blood the ER assumes drug addict & gives Covid test

Seems like a such lose-lose; healthy people getting unnecessary tests and supplements while diagnosed chronically ill (mainly women) being told “anxiety”

[shakthi]

CONGRATS on your 10YRS!! Keep Inspiring Dr. Mike, We love ya' ❤❤