The blue doctor

The intuitive mind is where our genius resides.

~ A. Artemis

Our two-year-old granddaughter has a sixth sense - a keen intuitive power.

Mom had booked the two-year and two-month health check appointments for her and her baby sister. We love their family doctor. 

Whenever we talked enthusiastically about the upcoming appointment, our granddaughter would repeatedly say we would be going to see the "blue doctor". Whenever I asked her why the doctor was blue, she dismissed the question.

Much to our disappointment, when we got to the medical clinic, we were seen by a very young doctor wearing a blue mask. Although this doctor was thoroughly impressed by the growth and development of our two granddaughters, rather than show curiosity about our approach to health, she lectured us about our cautious approach to medical intervention.

She made assumptions about why we do what we do, attacking character, a common tactic applied when one does not have scientific evidence to support claims made. 

The doctor shared anecdotal stories that only someone with a medical degree can get away with citing as evidence. I politely offered well-informed answers that did not include what she expected from her scripted questions, but she was dismissive. She seems to be unaware that science is far from settled in medicine.

We left feeling blue, joking that we had to find a green doctor. We associate green with healing.

I do think we planted seeds and hopefully ignited curiosity. 

But unfortunately, the doctor has been trained by industry-funded medicine intent on maintaining the status quo.

We know she has to abide by the rules of her regulatory body to keep her job, and she does not yet have enough experience to question her education.

I'm not surprised that medical schools are calling for reforms to stem family doctor shortage. But, apparently medical AI may already be better at diagnosing and bedside manner.

We found a new doctor - no better way to send a message that the paternalistic approach of the doctor we were assigned to does not work for us.