In healthcare, knowledge matters.
But sometimes, words matter even more.
As doctors, dentists, nurses, or healthcare professionals, people listen to us differently.
Even a casual statement from us can become a source of hope, fear, anxiety, or reassurance for someone.
And recently, I learned this lesson more deeply through a conversation I wish I had handled more carefully.
A friend of mine told me about his mother’s kidney disease. Her serum creatinine level was around 3.76, and after seeing the reports, a pathologist directly suggested dialysis.
When my friend discussed this with me, I responded confidently:
“I don’t think dialysis will be needed. It can probably be managed with medicines.”
I am a dentist, not a nephrologist.
Even though I had limited knowledge regarding chronic kidney disease management, I still tried to understand the situation. I discussed it with some MBBS friends, and they also felt dialysis might not be immediately required.
Later, the patient visited All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal. Her serum creatinine had come down to around 2.9, hypertension was diagnosed, and doctors also mentioned protein leakage in urine.
But during another conversation with my friend, I made a mistake.
Without fully analyzing the complete clinical picture — and without remembering the updated creatinine levels — I casually said:
“If there is protein leakage, then I think dialysis may eventually be needed.”
The moment I said it, it sounded like a strong medical conclusion.
Then he reminded me of the reports again.
And suddenly I realized something important: I had spoken too strongly without fully evaluating the entire situation.
I immediately corrected myself and apologized. I clarified that dialysis was not something that could be predicted so casually and that kidney disease management depends on multiple factors, not just one finding.
But the sentence had already been spoken.
And that bothered me.
because I understood how heavily people hold onto medical words.
As healthcare professionals, it is okay to say:
“I’m not fully sure.”
“This needs specialist evaluation.”
“We should wait for complete assessment.”
“I don’t want to make a strong conclusion without proper understanding.”
And that is why healthcare professionals must be extremely careful before making strong statements — especially outside their core specialty and without complete clinical understanding.