Of course they are, that's why they seek professional help from people who have spent years studying medicine and who can presumably be trusted to understand the intricacies of the issues involved.
People are bad at handling their own auto repairs, that's why we have mechanics. They're bad at handling their own legal issues, that's why we have lawyers. Etc etc etc
It seems pretty harsh to react so flippantly to someone facing negative consequences to the advice given to them professionals. It's nothing other than victim blaming in my view.
And much like doctors, mechanics have a massive conflict of interest. If you're not careful, the mechanic will propose a bunch of unnecessary work on your car just to earn more money.
I'd say medical care is an exception where we try to mandate (by law) that they act in our best interest.
I propose we call them, "Doctors," from the Latin word for "teacher," by reference to their role in instructing patients on the things they need to know about their health.
All people who complete a doctorate program are entitled to be addressed as "doctor". This includes everything from a Ph.D. (the original "doctor"), to M.D.s and D.O.s (medical doctors), and yes, D.C.
The chiropractors aren't having folks call them doctor because they have the right to (as someone with a PhD would do). They are doing it to make folks think they are medical professionals in the same manner as an M.D.
In other words, posing as a medical doctor.
And this kills folks when you consider the sort of scam practices that a lot of chiropractors tend to practice. Honestly, I think it is too bad that we've decided to use the same word for all of these and I'd be happy to change things legally to protect folks from this sort of sham.
Well, we have three choices. Either:
1. We change this social norm
2. we come up with a better title for people who didn't get a degree in quackery from an online program, or
3. most people lose all trust in doctors.
Beyond old age, the vast majority of people are bad at taking care of themselves. So many people that it is not a moral issue. It is a systemic issue.
The problem is, you don’t need to take care of yourself, until you do. Society doesn’t prepare us for that. (I got to learn the hard way.)
All it takes is one accident or affliction to change this ability. Unresponsive due to a car accident, for example, or simply not having your list of information when you got rushed to the hospital. Confusion due to a high fever. A stroke due to an undiagnosed and hidden condition. Heck, simply age or winding up with a complicated health situation can do it.
In short: You really only can trust yourself if you have enough luck.
They’re called “teachers” because their degree qualifies them to teach medical students.
It has its origin in the medieval academic degree system.
But it’s not in any way about their instruction of patients.
Hold on. We have computers and networks. In most other countries I've been in, records are computerized and there's no need to write a piece of paper that you hand to new doctors and 'get good at handling your own health care.' Even here I see some exchange across providers on a "Mychart" like app. That's a start.
But what you're seeing is inefficiency - a computerized world where you're telling people they should bring printouts of everything to all appointments seems really unnecessary a burden.
There is no way I’m going to any appointment (including my dentist) without a printed list of everything, including the dosages, instructions, and reason for being on it.
Edit: I apologize for the poor phrasing. It comes off being flippant. The reality is the American system is often broken, and it’s up to the patient to manage their own care. And for many reasons, people don’t or can’t.
What I was trying to say is, I have to do this and be diligent about it because no one else will. :(