How to respond when a patient requests what they've seen online

Author(s):

Austin Littrell

Key Takeaways

Patients may request unproven treatments due to social media influence, necessitating a careful response from healthcare providers.
Maintaining respectful dialogue and educating patients on evidence-based practices is essential in addressing misconceptions.
Understanding the patient's perspective and providing factual information guides them towards appropriate treatment options.
Building trust and fostering collaboration helps patients make informed decisions, reinforcing the clinician's role as a reliable information source.

Richard W. Miller, MD, discusses the proper response when a patient makes a misinformed request.

In an interview with Medical Economics, Richard W. Miller, a psychiatrist with Elwyn Adult Behavioral Health in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, talked about the correct way to respond when a patient requests inappropriate or unproven treatments because of what they've seen on social media.

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