Thursday, July 13, 2017

When Your Doctor Is Fitter Than You Are - The New York Times

"I enjoy working out at the gym," declares one profile. "To keep myself fit, I like to hike, bike and exercise," says another.

These comments aren't part of a dating site. Rather, they come from physicians' online profiles that prospective patients view when they are looking for a new doctor.

There are good reasons doctors might strive to lead by example. "I practice what I preach by living healthy every day," declares one physician on Kaiser Permanente's online doctor search portal. Patients may trust or be inspired by such a doctor, the thinking goes. And if health care professionals fail to follow their own advice, they may be accused of hypocrisy.

But for some patients, particularly those battling weight issues, a doctor's declarations of personal fitness may not have the intended effect of attracting new patients. Instead, rather than inspiring them, it can drive them away.

More ...

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/13/well/family/when-your-doctor-is-fitter-than-you-are.html?