Why Your "Dr. Google" Research Makes You a Better Patient

Have you ever heard a healthcare provider say, "Don't confuse your internet search with my medical degree"?

It's cringeworthy. Dismissive. And unfortunately, it still exists in our healthcare system.

Here's what that statement really communicates: Your curiosity is a threat. Your investment in your own health is annoying. Stay in your lane.

That's not healthcare. That's gatekeeping.

The Truth About Patient Research

I love when patients come to me with their own research.

Not despite their medical degree—because of their personal investment. When someone shows up with questions, theories, or even printouts from online forums, it tells me they're engaged in their health journey. They're not passively waiting for answers. They're actively seeking them.

And here's my unpopular opinion: your healthcare provider doesn't and can't know everything.

Medical knowledge is vast and constantly evolving. No single practitioner can stay current on every emerging study, every new supplement, every patient experience shared in online communities. The idea that your provider holds all the answers while you hold none is outdated and frankly, harmful.

Why Your Research Matters

Collaboration between patient and provider isn't just beneficial—it's essential, especially in functional medicine.

Go ahead: do that Google search. Look it up on Reddit. Join that Facebook group. Poll a large group of people who share similar symptoms or experiences. This crowdsourced information is incredibly valuable.

Why? Because your provider may not see many patients with your exact constellation of symptoms. Their clinical experience, while important, may be somewhat limited in your specific situation. But that online community? They're living it. They've tried dozens of interventions. They know what worked and what didn't.

Your research brings new perspectives to the table. It might introduce a connection we hadn't considered, a supplement we hadn't discussed, or a lifestyle modification that's shown promise in patient communities even if the clinical trials are still catching up.

What Good Collaboration Looks Like

Here's how this works in a functional medicine practice:

You bring your research. Not as a demand, but as a conversation starter. "I've been reading about the connection between gut health and thyroid function. Could this be relevant for me?"

We evaluate it together. I bring my clinical training, my understanding of your unique health history, and my knowledge of current research. You bring your lived experience, your symptom patterns, and your discoveries.

We make informed decisions. Sometimes your research leads to a breakthrough. Sometimes it doesn't apply to your specific situation. But either way, we've explored it together, and you understand why we're choosing one path over another.

This is patient-centered care. This is functional medicine. This is what healthcare should be.

The Total Body Burden Approach

In functional medicine, we look at the total body burden—all the factors contributing to your symptoms. That includes:

• Nutrient deficiencies your previous providers may have missed

• Environmental toxin exposures that standard testing doesn't capture

• Gut dysfunction that affects everything from hormones to mood

• Chronic infections that mainstream medicine often overlooks

• Stress and lifestyle factors that compound over time

Your research often points us toward these root causes. That article you read about mold toxicity? It might be the missing piece. That Reddit thread about histamine intolerance? It could explain your seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Your Expertise Matters

You are the expert on your body. You know when something feels off. You know your symptom patterns better than any lab result can show. You know what you've already tried and how your body responded.

I'm the expert on functional medicine principles, diagnostic testing, and treatment protocols.

Together, we're a team. And the best outcomes happen when both types of expertise are respected and integrated.

Moving Forward

If you're tired of being dismissed, if you want a provider who values your research and curiosity, if you're ready for true collaboration in your healthcare journey—that's what functional medicine offers.

Bring your questions. Bring your research. Bring your theories. Let's discuss them. Let's evaluate them together. Let's find the root causes and create a personalized plan that actually works for your unique body.

Because your health isn't something that happens to you. It's something we work on with you.

Definition of Health provides virtual, telemedicine-based functional medicine care to patients in Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. Click here to begin your health journey.