Neil Spector on patient empowerment
From Lyme and Reason: Dr. Neil Spector · · FOX5NewYork
“If you suspect Lyme disease, be tenacious: overlay your symptoms with classic Lyme features, question physicians if necessary, and don't hesitate to get a second opinion — it's your life and your life is potentially at risk.”
On , Neil Spector, Strategic Advisor at Verisk Analytics, Inc, spoke about patient empowerment during Lyme and Reason: Dr. Neil Spector on FOX5NewYork.
About Neil Spector
Neil Spector, a strategic advisor at Verisk Analytics and an oncologist, has spoken publicly about his experience with Lyme disease and his views on the medical community's approach to the illness. In a 2016 interview, Spector stated that the medical community has "failed patients" with Lyme disease, attributing this to a "dogmatic approach" that influences how doctors treat patients. He noted that after four years of being told he was stressed, he was diagnosed with Lyme disease and treated with antibiotics, but the damage to his heart was permanent. Spector also criticized Lyme disease testing, calling it "lousy" and stating that a negative test does not always mean a patient does not have the disease. He argued that the perception that Lyme disease is "easy to diagnose and easy to treat" has affected funding and priorities. In a separate 2016 TEDx talk, Spector discussed the tension between precision medicine and the art of medicine. He argued that doctors have become "so addicted to tests that they've forgotten to utilize their clinical skills," and that a thorough history and physical exam can lead to an accurate diagnosis 70 to 90 percent of the time. Spector stated that the average clinic visit in the US is 15 to 19 minutes and that patients are often interrupted after 12 seconds, which he said contributes to medical errors. He advocated for a healthcare system that allows physicians to practice both the art of medicine and precision medicine, rather than viewing them as a false dichotomy.