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When a patient asks strange questions

On the demand for “excessive information” by victims of quackery, false beliefs and diversion by anti-vaccinationists

Author(s): Maria Boratyńska
Subject(s): Media studies, Communication studies, Theory of Communication, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: duty to inform; excessive information; abuse of the right to information; false beliefs; cognitive errors; quackery; compulsory vaccination
Summary/Abstract: The article defines the areas of information overreach from the side of patient demands and recommends ways of responding to requests that exceed the limits. From the doctor’s point of view, excessive information is information that goes beyond the scope of the planned treatment or its effects or is impossible to obtain. The limits of the duty to inform are determined by current medical knowledge, a reasonable relation to the planned treatment, the patient’s legitimate health or life interest and the practical availability of knowledge to the doctor of the particular speciality. Extended information may be needed to control the fears of oversensitive people or to correct false beliefs. If excessive demands for information are aimed at manipulating the doctor – they may refuse without risking negative consequences. When patients abuse their right to information, their demands do not deserve protection.

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