Talking politics in the exam room

<p>"The medical profession now understands that social determinants of health are probably the most important driver of a patient’s overall health, and these determinants are largely the result of political decisions. Clearly, we have a professional responsibility to teach our patients the science underlying their health issues. Don’t we also have a professional obligation to ensure that our patients understand the health ramifications of their political choices? If that is the case, do we not have a professional obligation to initiate a conversation about the political issues which impact our patients’ health?</p> <p>If we fail to breach the taboo of 'talking politics' in the exam room, are we not shirking our professional responsibilities to our patients and society?"</p> <p><a href= "https://www.lowellgeneral.org/people/hayward-k-zwerling-md" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hayward Zwerling</a> is an endocrinologist who blogs at <a href= "https://www.ihaveanidea.us/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">I Have an Idea</a>.</p> <p>He shares his story and discusses his KevinMD article, "<a href= "https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/09/talking-politics-in-the-exam-room.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Talking politics in the exam room</a>." (<a href= "https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/09/talking-politics-in-the-exam-room.html">https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/09/talking-politics-in-the-exam-room.html</a>)</p>