Forum: Doctors Are Human, Too

When it comes to physicians, patients have to remember one thing: Doctors are human, too. That was the advice from retired physician Jim Arthurs (pictured in SR photo) during a gathering of the popular Geezer Forum on Tuesday in Sandpoint. Nearly 60 people, mostly in the 60-plus crowd, attended Arthurs’ talk on “How Doctors Think.” Like all people, physicians have biases and will decide whether they like your personality in about 18 seconds – just like you judge them. They get distracted. They are sometimes burned out and stressed. And America’s health care system often puts them in the position where Arthurs said they book patients in 15-minute intervals and rarely have time to really listen or think comprehensively about their diagnosis or advice/ Erica Curless , SR. More here.