Health

Study Finds - Imagine sitting in your doctor’s office, palms sweating, heart racing. You’re not just nervous about your health—you’re worried about what your doctor might think of you. Should you mention that home remedy you’ve been trying? What about that article you read online about a potential cure? New research suggests your hesitation might be well-founded, and it could be undermining your healthcare.

The surprising study out of Stevens Institute of Technology uncovers a troubling reality in the world of healthcare: both patients and doctors harbor negative perceptions of those who share incorrect health beliefs, even when those beliefs are entirely understandable for a layperson to hold. “People worry about their doctors looking down on them—and it turns out that’s an entirely rational concern,” says lead researcher Dr. Samantha Kleinberg, in a statement. “Our study suggests that doctors really do judge patients harshly if they share information or beliefs that they disagree with.”

This finding strikes at the heart of the doctor-patient relationship, challenging the idea that open communication is always beneficial. The study, published in the journal Medical Decision Making, reveals a paradox in healthcare: while doctors need patients to be forthcoming about their beliefs and behaviors to provide the best care, the very act of sharing could lead to negative judgments that might impact the quality of that care.