Even well-meaning experts can be blinded by their own ego, assumptions, bias etc and in the health and wellness industry that means poorer outcomes for all us 'non experts'.

This goes for specialists, GP's, nurses, personal trainers, dentists, health coaches, dieticians, naturopaths.

Now I have to state I'm in no way insinuating experts are not helpful, they are legit experts and have a knowledge base that as clients we really need and should value.

The expert is very well meaning, there is a genuine desire to help people but there is an underlying 'saviour' attitude "I will fix you, I have the answer."

It results in them not listening as carefully as they should, missing cues to help and use their skills to their full potential. This can result in people being undiagnosed or misdiagnosed delayed treatment etc Examples:

• When a trainer misses over training signs, a GP miss diagnoses mental health prescribes ssri (which has harder complications the longer someone is left on these)-
• When an expert doesn't recommend seeing someone else for fear of losing a client, for fear of being seen as a failure, assuming a client can't afford certain things and not talking about it.
• When the expert prioritises lack of time and dose not prioritise a patients understanding of what medication/supplement or procedure does/is resulting in poorly informed clients.
• When supplements are used in excess and react with regular food causing toxicity or are just unnecessary. Due to lack of training around supplements and monetary kick-backs.
• When experts don't use curiosity and treat individual issues they sometimes miss the wider picture.
• Unbalanced power dynamics with clients.

Obviously communication is the key to sorting this, gaining experience getting humbled realising Its ok to not have all the answers! And referring! Working collaboratively with everyone, being open minded is essential!

SO as a client how do you advocate for yourself? As a client you have to question experts, regardless of whats going on in a clinic or hospital, medical pros are experts but you are (and I'm not being funny) an expert on yourself! Its best to view any medical pro as a collaborator, just one part of your team not the only person who has to do work. Ultimately you need to value yourself and respect/own that you will be very much a part of the process in order for you to thrive.

This whole issue is why some doctors are seeing the value in preventative care and things like health coaching, Dr's & nurses can ask better questions and unlearn their bias, but for long term management a health coach can help carry on the progress with a client while the medical experts take care of advanced cases and explore advanced treatments/research etc A health coach is actually an expert it managing and checking bias! It's our job to provide you with the time and space to gain the knowledge you need, follow the plans given to you etc.

I'm in the medical industry any insights for me? For starters ask yourself "how does my bias/ego serve me and my clients?" Professional burnout and moral distress can be interconnected with ego, which can result in poor patient outcomes. Burnout can lead to medical pros being less engaged with patients, less empathetic and more prone to make errors.

• So you need to take care of yourself, sleep, nutrition the works!
• Keep your brilliant mind open.
• Be kinder to yourself, embrace your network of other experts.
• Call out problem behaviour when you see it.

It is important for healthcare professionals to recognize and acknowledge their own egos, and to take steps to keep them in check in order to provide the best possible care to their patients. This can include seeking out supervision and mentorship, practicing mindfulness and self-reflection, and being open to feedback and constructive criticism.

No one expert is going to single handily sort you out and there is no room for ego's.