Dr Gary McGowan: 10 Lessons from Medicine | Triage Thoughts Ep. 264
May 29, 2023
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Dr Gary McGowan shares 10 lessons from studying medicine, focusing on health literacy and personal health. They discuss the importance of considering risks in health interventions, individual risk tolerances in nutrition, and the role of doctors in nutrition and training. They also explore diverse beliefs among doctors and opportunities for coaching and nutrition education.
Health interventions like medications and screenings are important even for those who prioritize fitness and nutrition.
Understanding the risks and collaborating with healthcare professionals helps make informed decisions about healthcare.
Seek one-on-one interactions with healthcare professionals for accurate guidance instead of relying solely on online information.
Preventative medicine includes medical interventions alongside lifestyle changes to prevent future health issues.
Deep dives
The importance of seeking medical intervention alongside fitness and nutrition practices
Just because someone practices healthy habits like lifting weights and having a healthy diet, it doesn't mean that they can avoid seeing a doctor or taking necessary medications. Health interventions like medications, vaccines, and basic health screenings are still important, even for those who prioritize fitness and nutrition. Conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol may still require medical intervention, as they can have genetic and hormonal factors that exercise and nutrition alone may not be sufficient to address.
Recognizing that no intervention is without risk
Whether it's medicine, surgery, nutrition, or training, every health intervention carries a certain level of risk. It's crucial to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of any intervention. For example, surgeries for joint problems may lead to complications, while medications and supplements can have side effects or interactions. Understanding the risks involved in different interventions and collaborating with healthcare professionals can help make informed decisions about healthcare.
The importance of seeking personalized healthcare advice
When it comes to niche health questions or specific diagnoses, it is crucial to seek one-on-one interactions with healthcare professionals rather than relying solely on online information. The vast amount of information available online can often be confusing and conflicting. Collaborating with experts in the field who can provide individualized guidance and treatment can lead to more effective and accurate healthcare outcomes.
The role of medicine in preventative healthcare
Preventative medicine includes medical interventions alongside lifestyle changes like nutrition and exercise. Vaccinations, medications for high blood pressure or cholesterol, and treatments for specific diseases all play a role in preventing future health issues. Focusing on preventative healthcare means addressing disease prevention and management through a comprehensive approach that includes both medicine and lifestyle factors.
Understanding that training and nutrition are not typically taught in medical education
While doctors have a wide range of medical knowledge, training and nutrition are often not emphasized in their education. This is where collaboration with other healthcare professionals like personal trainers, physiotherapists, and dietitians becomes crucial. By bridging the gap between fitness and medicine, these professionals can provide the specialized knowledge needed for training and nutrition, while doctors can focus on their expertise in diagnosing and treating diseases.
The importance of doctors understanding their scope
Doctors should focus on understanding the role of exercise and nutrition in promoting preventive health. Rather than expecting them to give specific exercise programs or nutrition advice, doctors should recognize the significance of exercise and nutrition in managing certain conditions and should be able to refer patients to specialized programs, such as cardiac rehab or pulmonary rehab.
The challenges and rewards of studying medicine
Studying medicine presents the challenge of acquiring a vast amount of knowledge across various subjects. However, a well-structured medical education program, with exams, deadlines, mentors, and practical experience, allows students to learn more than they thought possible. Directed education, even if self-guided, is crucial. Medicine is equipped to treat acute and short-term illnesses, while preventative medicine is better suited for managing chronic conditions. It is important to recognize that abnormal findings on scans or tests do not always require treatment and that doctors are not a homogenous group, with different specialties leading to diverse personality traits and beliefs.
In this video, Gary shares the lessons he learned while studying medicine, with a particular emphasis on what this means for your own health and health literacy.
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