<p> </p> <p>When a patient comes to me with complicated symptoms, I typically order a series of tests to arrive at a diagnosis. But what happens if those tests all come back normal?</p> <p>There are conditions that can’t be identified by CAT scans, blood tests or ultrasounds. And sometimes testing only adds to a patient’s anxiety and makes them feel worse.</p> <p>So, how do you decide when testing is necessary and when it isn’t?</p> <p>On this inaugural episode of Tell Me More, I sit down with my pediatrician husband, Christopher, to discuss how his approach to testing differs from mine and why testing children often does more harm than good.</p> <p>We explain why American doctors tend to over-rely on tests, and I share a case study of a patient whose tubal ligation post ablation syndrome couldn’t be diagnosed with a CAT scan, ultrasound or lab work.</p> <p>Listen in to understand how poor communication leads to patient mistrust and learn how to diagnose patients and communicate clearly—without over-relying on tests.</p> <p> <strong>Key Takeaways</strong> How my pediatrician husband Christopher’s testing philosophy differs from mine</p> <p>The question Christopher asks before ordering a test for a patient</p> <p>Why doctors in India look down on American physicians for our overreliance on tests</p> <p>How my patient with tubal ligation post ablation syndrome couldn’t be diagnosed through testing</p> <p>Why testing in children often does more harm than good</p> <p>An example of a young leukemia patient who could have been diagnosed sooner with lab work</p> <p>Why doctors tend to write off patients when their tests come back normal</p> <p>How power of suggestion makes us believe a problem is much worse</p> <p>How a doctor’s inability to communicate leads to patient frustration and mistrust</p> <p>The power in showing confidence and humility in communication with patients</p> <p> <strong>Connect with Dr. Meyer</strong> <a href="https://www.christinemeyermd.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Dr. Meyer’s Website</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/drchristinemeyer" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Dr. Meyer on Facebook</a></p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/cmeyermd" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Dr. Meyer on Twitter</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-meyer-md-25b32111/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Dr. Meyer on LinkedIn</a></p> <p>Email: <a href="mailto:[email protected]" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">[email protected]</a></p> <p> <strong>Resources</strong> <a href="http://atulgawande.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Atul Gawande</a></p> <p> </p>