Preoccupying yourself with knowing how to get rid of medical skepticism is one primary way to self-development. To many who are not yet seeing anything wrong with it, there is no need scouting for answers. But for the likes of you and me, we are set to burn the roof down for the purpose of reconstruction.
In case you have not known, there can be legitimate reasons to feel skepticism and mistrust of the medical field, but they can also have serious adverse consequences. As numerous studies have shown, mistrust can prevent patients from both seeking care and accepting care which can exacerbate health disparities.
What is Medical Skepticism?
The concept of medical skepticism can be likened to the habit of having the doubt in the ability of conventional medical care to appreciably alter one’s health status.
A dose of this concept can be healthy. Skepticism may encourage individuals to get a second opinion when they feel they have been misdiagnosed. It may also encourage people seeking out health information to validate the sources in an article claiming to offer credible medical advice.
However, in today’s digital world where misinformation can spread like wildfire and can be amplified across influential platforms, skepticism can also be a troubling sign. Here are the different levels by which we can categorize medical skepticism:
- Pro-Treatment: A patient who is on board with treatment.
- Pro-Treatment But Hesitant: A patient who is on board with treatment but has questions and requires some guidance to feel comfortable.
- On the Fence: A patient who has many questions and needs significant guidance in order to make a decision about treatment.
- Anti-Treatment With Exceptions: A patient who identifies as unwilling to receive treatment, but makes exceptions. For example, a person may identify as anti-vaccine, but may be open to certain vaccines, such as the meningitis or polio vaccines.
- Adamantly Anti-Treatment: A patient who may belong to anti-treatment movements or organizations, or even be a part of the anti-treatment establishment. They may intentionally promote propaganda.
Getting Rid of Medical Skepticism
When addressing medical skepticism in a healthcare setting, efficient communication techniques can improve the patient relationship, making patients more willing to consider new ideas and even change their minds. Below are at least ways by which help can be rendered to anyone suffering from medical skepticism:
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Talk in Private
A more intimate conversation communicates the importance of the talk. In public, someone might feel less willing to admit they’ve been wrong, and may end up speaking to the crowd more than to the individual.
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Normalize Care
When people are medically skeptical, it can be helpful to learn that those around them get conventional medical care. So, for example, the individual can share that they have been vaccinated.
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Dismantle Stigma
Stigma, such as anti-neurodivergent bias, fatphobia, ableism, ageism, etc., makes people more vulnerable to misinformation.
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Establish Trust
An individual should enter the conversation well-informed and having done research, but should also emphasize that the talk is taking place because they care about the person.
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Find the Why
It could be a particular fear, a bad doctor’s visit, a story from a friend, etc. Whatever it is, having the person express why they’re skeptical can be key to helping them seek medical treatment.
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Acknowledge your Feelings
If someone who’s medically skeptical says something surprising that elicits a reaction in you, acknowledge your response as a legitimate expression of concern.
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Get Back to Them Later
If an individual becomes overwhelmed, drained, or needs to do more research, they should resume the conversation later.
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Be Patient
It may take more than one conversation to get someone to change their mind if they change their mind at all. Leave the door open for future communication.
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Set and Respect Boundaries
Boundaries are a two-way street. Engage in the conversation if both parties are open to talking about it.
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Ask for Help
Another individual or expert may be better suited for the conversation. It’s OK to ask them for help.
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Take Breaks
It’s OK to take a break from trying to change someone’s mind, to stop trying altogether, or to not talk to that person at all if it’s too upsetting or harmful.
