Keep it simple stupid.
Sometimes less is more.
Let’s just wait and see.
Too many chefs in the kitchen.
Don’t use a lot when a little will do.
I could go on and on, but I would like to keep this simple too.
Initial visits with patients are all about fact-finding. Asking the right questions to get as much information as possible. One question asked is what the patient has been trying to do to help themselves up until now. Medications (note the plural), massage therapy, acupuncture, physiotherapy and, of course, the famous Dr. Ho machine. Sometimes the patient is doing all of these things and all at the same time!
Do I need an x-ray? Do I need to see a specialist? What should I do?
While every case is different, and yes, some cases do require further investigations, I often feel like too much is being done, or the patient is expecting too much outside help for their current problem.
Choosing Wisely Canada (https://choosingwiselycanada.org) is a national initiative with the aim of reducing unnecessary tests and treatments in health care. One specific promotion is the “More is not always better” campaign. Patients are often the drivers of this overuse and it frequently interferes with their own care.
Choosing Wisely promotes the idea that often less is more. According to their website, patients should be asking their care givers:
- Do I really need this test, treatment or procedure?
- What are the downsides?
- Are there simpler, safer options?
- What happens if I do nothing?
You may be familiar with the philosophy of “Occam’s Razor,” in that when there are competing theories, the simplest one is usually correct. In health care, this may very well be true in many instances. Instead of competing theories, we may be instilling competing treatments. Pain pills competing with muscle relaxants, competing with acupuncture, competing with anti-inflammatories, competing with exercise, competing with ultrasound.
Remember, the body has an innate ability and desire to always heal itself. Too many chefs in the kitchen may stir too many elements into the pot. In our efforts to help, we may be interfering with the healing process when we throw too much at it.
Keeping it simple does not mean do not seek care, however. What is does mean is working with your care provider to determine the simplest, least invasive and most appropriate evidence-based care.
