a doctor is treating a patient...do they not expect good results.
Shakuntala
Dear Shankuntala,
As a doctor I can tell you the mind set of most doctors.
The answer to your question is NO!
We doctors just try our best as we know off.It is somewhat mechanical at times.
If someone has a disease..we diagnose and treat without any expectations for good or bad.
We do not really expect the best of results cos anytime anything can take a different turn.
In fact it is dangerous for a doctor to be over confidently expecting the best of results cos then he/she might miss a worst case scenario situation.
Each stage in treating a patient is like just doing our duty.
We doctors can't really have a desire for each and every patient we treat.
That will be emotionally draining and disappointing.
It might sound strange to you but this is how I see my patients.
For example if a person is newly diagnosed with Hypertension.
I would work him/her up with all the required blood test etc and then start him/her on treatment and follow up the patient.
When I see the patient again..if the control is still not yet attained, I change the medication and once the control is attained..I just continue the medication and follow up the patient regularly.
At no stage I am going "yes!! I have achieved the target BP control for patient and feel Yes! I have done it! and got the expected results for the patient"
Believe me doctors do not think that way.
We just see a patient,treat him/her and outcome is not in our hands.