TED Talks Daily 4 questions you should always ask your doctor | Christer Mjåset
Sep 19, 2019
Neurosurgeon Christer Mjåset sheds light on the critical importance of patient empowerment in healthcare. He emphasizes four crucial questions to ask doctors, aimed at minimizing overtreatment. Mjåset shares alarming statistics that highlight the need for clear communication between patients and physicians. He illustrates how active participation in medical decisions can lead to better outcomes, urging listeners to advocate for their health by questioning necessity and options in treatment.
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Unnecessary Surgery
- Christer Mjåset, a neurosurgeon, had a patient with radiating arm pain due to a cervical disc prolapse.
- He initially considered surgery but realized it wasn't necessary after the patient questioned him.
Unnecessary Treatment Variation
- Tonsillectomy and meniscus surgery rates vary significantly across regions, indicating unnecessary treatments.
- Private clinics' involvement suggests potential economic motivations behind this variation.
Patient Pressure
- A friend with back pain insisted on an MRI despite Mjåset's advice, only to receive the same advice from another doctor after a long wait.
- This highlights patient pressure and unnecessary MRI requests.