The Power Of Saying 'I Don't Know'

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-Doctor Mike Varshavski

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* 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 **

[proQuran]

I worked with a doc who would politely say, “that is outside my area of expertise. But maybe I can refer you to someone who does have better answers” to patients. And I respected him for that

[krisherdown]

The bad "I don't know" is when the person really means "I don't care."
The good "I don't know" is when the person still is trying to lead closer to an answer.

[chloeedgar]

This man is talented, educational and he inspires everyone. On top of all that, he looks good in a suit

[HiKingMargo]

A Doctor that cannot say "I don't know" is one that is not willing to accept the limitations of their personal knowledge. Which is a huge red flag and honestly terrifying.

[stealthyshadow]

This was one of the eye opening I realized when I started pursing my PsyD in college. A student comes fresh out of their first abnormal psychology class and they feel like they’re ready to take on the world, they know it all and they’ve seen it all and they have the answer to every question. I’ve found if you ask a doctor and a first year college student the same question, the student will always answer more definitively and confidently than the doctor, not because they know more, but because they don’t know how much they don’t know. As you learn more you realize how little you actually know. Once it stops being words in a textbook and starts being a patient in an office you realize you can’t know it all.

[bsrj]

This man is a doctor, a youtuber with 8 million subs, had a TED talk, he can box, my man can do anything.

[Sinstar]

The BEST answer I was given was “I don’t know”, as it was followed up with “I’m going to get you to someone who does”. I was then sent to Dr. Salardini at Yale in New Haven, CT (who is amazing).

That “I don’t know” was the best thing that ever happened in my entire 10+ years medical ordeal. I’ll forever be grateful.

[MagicalTrev]

Couldn't agree more. For basically any science-based field, there is so much that humanity has figured out, that you could spend your whole life studying and only learn maybe 5% of it, and that's not even counting what humanity hasn't figured out! There's so much power, humility, and honesty in accepting what you don't know, and being open about that.

[larissaswinkels]

I have this with law school, the longer you’re there, the more you realize you don’t know. And sometimes when you finally know it, it changed again. The amount of information available to us and that will become available to us is endless.

[tristan]

"The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing"

-Sokrates

[ZiggyPS]

This goes for anything in life. The phrase “I don’t know” means that someone is recognizing a shortcoming in their knowledge, and in my professional career I try very hard to follow it up with “let me find out.”

[evieashton]

The best doctor I ever had was a man who told me: ‘while we’ll do everything in our powers to work out what your illness is, we might never know. And that’s okay. Scary, but okay.’ And he gave me a hug.

[Anonax]

Dr. Mike is an absolute Legend hes a amazing Doctor, hes debunking Medical Missinformation and has so much Wisdom.
Hats off to you

[Joe_Cool]

I love it when someone can say “I don’t know”, and genuinely be engaged in the thought. With healthcare professionals, let’s say, if I pose a question that neither of us know the answer to, I rather hear them say “I don’t know”, look it up on the spot with me, or refer me to someone who might than give me a circular answer that helps no one.

[maddie]

I think Mike is very educational, polite and friendly. To be honest, I personally think he’s one of the best doctors I’ve ever seen as he isn’t afraid to admit to say what he’s done wrong, right and what he could have done better. I also This his hair cut is amazing.

[CaptainFabulous]

I suffered for years with a debilitating illness that over 2 dozen doctors couldn't figure out, and not one of them, NOT ONE, ever told me "I don't know". Like they literally refused to say it. It was infuriating.

[Private]

I love this! I tell my kids ALL THE TIME, ""I don't know" is an answer, don't make sh!t up". Honesty is always more appreciated than BS

[aaronmott]

Thank you Socrates.

Not an insult, I genuinely love Socratic thinking. The awareness of the fact that you are not infallible is one of the most valuable things a person can understand. You do not know everything. I do not know everything. Nobody is all-knowing.

[kloverwise]

I really am so happy he is venturing out and doing talks like this. I really think his career is blossoming to crazy heights. He gets you so engaged and that is something very hard to do. I can’t wait to try and go to one of his tour dates!

[sarahe]

My mom is a nurse and ever since we were kids she would tell us when she didn't know the answer to our questions and encourage us to look it up with her. She fostered curiosity and learning and I adore her for it.