Situations where authority trumps logic continue to weigh on my mind.
As a doctor, I often find myself in situations where I need to break down complex concepts into simple, digestible pieces of information for patients and staff. Despite my best efforts to avoid medical jargon and make these explanations as clear as possible, I frequently encounter the response, “I’m not a doctor.”
This reaction tends to frustrate me because it’s obvious that they aren’t doctors, and the information I’m providing doesn’t require medical expertise to understand. I can’t for example go, “Like DUHHHH!” It’s particularly baffling when I’m discussing basic topics, like diet and weight management, where the core principles are quite accessible to anyone willing to listen and engage.
I suspect this response is rooted in a mix of inferiority complex and the societal conditioning that suggests one must be an authority figure to grasp or comment on certain topics.
The very similar sort of thing happens when I’m assisting someone with their computer, mobile phone or WiFi. I get, “I’m not an IT expert.” I couldn’t give a flying flamingo https://youtu.be/1KI9Ruv-BDI if you are or aren’t an IT expert.
Personally, I don’t let my lack of expertise in various fields, like quantum physics or engineering, deter me from trying to understand such topics through logical reasoning and an open mind. Now I’ll be told either “You are not everybody” and “Everybody is not you.” Ahhh.. I get it – I popped out of the womb this morning then jumped on somebody’s computer to write all this. Golly gee!
Fictional scenario
Doctor: Hi Patient X, how have you been feeling lately?
Patient X: I’ve been doing alright, Doctor. Just a bit worried about my weight and how it’s affecting my overall health.
Doctor: I understand. Managing weight can be challenging, but it’s really important for your long-term health. Have you been able to make any changes to your diet or exercise routine?
Patient X: I’ve tried a few things, but nothing seems to stick. I’m not sure if I’m doing it right.
Doctor: That’s okay. Let’s start with some basics. A balanced diet and regular physical activity are key. Reducing intake of processed foods and increasing vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains can make a big difference. Do you understand how different food groups impact your body?
Patient X: Sort of, but it gets confusing. I don’t always know what’s best.
Doctor: Think of it like fueling your car. Just as your car needs quality fuel to run efficiently, your body needs nutrient-dense foods for optimal performance. For example, processed foods can be like low-grade fuel—less efficient and more likely to cause problems over time. Does that analogy help?
Patient X: Yeah, it makes sense. But sometimes I read conflicting advice online. One day it’s about cutting carbs, and the next it’s about cutting fat. It’s overwhelming.
Doctor: It’s true, there’s a lot of conflicting information out there. The key is to focus on a balanced approach rather than extremes. Moderation and variety are your friends. Have you heard about the plate method? It’s a simple way to visualise a balanced meal.
Patient X: No, what’s that?
Doctor: Imagine your plate divided into three sections. Half of it should be vegetables and fruits, a quarter should be lean proteins, and the last quarter can be whole grains. This helps ensure you’re getting a variety of nutrients in the right proportions. It’s an easy guide to follow without counting calories.
Patient X: Hmm, I’m not sure I’d be able to keep up with that. I’m not a doctor, after all. [This is the part where I might bite my tongue to avoid saying “FFS!! Did I say you were a doctor?!” or “Like DUHHHH.. just STFU and folow what I’m saying – why did you come here for advice? We’re talking about the ‘plate method’ which has nothing to do with being a doctor. Chrysst!” Caution: like any other human being I’m allowed to self-censor and not utter words that may be taken as ‘insulting’. This scenario is only to demonstate a point. What’s that? Well read on!]
Doctor: I understand, it can seem daunting at first. You don’t need to be a doctor to follow these basic ideas. It’s more about building habits gradually. Start with small changes, like adding an extra serving of vegetables at dinner or choosing whole grains instead of refined ones. Over time, these small adjustments can add up to big improvements.
Patient X: I see. I guess I can start with something small.
Doctor: Exactly. It’s all about progress, not perfection. And remember, I’m here to support you every step of the way. You’ve got this!
Probable explanations
The captioned response ‘I’m not a doctor‘ might stem from a variety of psychological and social factors:
- Inferiority Complex: Some people might feel inadequate or less knowledgeable, especially when speaking with someone they perceive as more educated or experienced.
- Defensive Mechanism: The phrase “I’m not a doctor” could be a way to shield themselves from feeling embarrassed about their own lack of knowledge. By stating this, they are preemptively justifying any misunderstanding or ignorance.
- Authority Bias: People often assume that complex subjects require formal expertise. They might feel that only someone with specific qualifications is entitled to discuss certain topics, even if those topics are accessible to the layperson with proper explanation.
- Cognitive Dissonance: Sometimes, individuals might experience discomfort when presented with new information that contradicts their existing beliefs or knowledge. By distancing themselves with “I’m not a doctor,” they might be trying to resolve that internal conflict.
- Habitual Speech: It could simply be a habitual or reflexive phrase people use without much thought,. This is similar to how people might say “I’m not a lawyer” when seeing a lawyer for advice and discussing legal issues.
- Social Conditioning: Society often instills the idea that certain professions hold exclusive knowledge. This conditioning might lead people to defer to perceived experts and doubt their own ability to grasp the information.
What it means to me
I’m so uninterested in ‘psychoanalysing’ everybody so that I come to terms with the ‘I’m not a doctor thing’. I require no advice or support. I have not abused anyone and will not be so stooopid to uncensor my thoughts and emotions in real world practice.
I’ve looked into more than the above six probable explanations. Most of the explanations centre around social-conditioning. I’m not here to ‘uncondition’ anybody – just in case some moron wants to go there.
Conclusion
People are unknowingly conditioned to make responses by numerious social influences. This means that many of their thought patterns an responses are not truly their own – but rather the aggregate of influences coming from others.
