Levels of influenza-like illnesses are at an all time high, and doctors' offices and medical care centers are seeing a huge surge of patients not seen since the 2009 swine flu outbreak. Yet with the age of the internet and sites like WebMD comes a new attitude towards doctors -- we trust them, but we trust our Googling capabilites just as much. Dr. Michael Bordieri explains why it could be more beneficial to hand the reins over to the doctor once more.
The 2017-2018 flu season has been wreaking havoc nationwide, with the CDC reporting 4,000 Americans dying a week due to influenza A and B strains. Although there is still a healthy flow of patients in and out of the doctors' office, society as a whole has turned to self-diagnosis via word-of-mouth or the internet as opposed to following (or trusting) the doctor's orders.
The doctor-patient relationship has evolved into one that requires more communication from both parties. Doctors are starting to listen to patients more closely, while patients are encouraged to verbally express any concerns, beliefs, preferences, etc., they might have that would benefit the diagnosis and treatment process.