People living in urban cities have the advantage of accessing some of the best hospitals, specialists and medical technologies in the country. But this also encourages patients to undermine treatment, hopping from one doctor to another.
The phenomenon, referred to as “doctor shopping,” is increasingly common in large cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
According to Dr. Ravindra Setty, a senior cardiac surgeon at Narayana Health City, this habit comes from impatience and a belief that another doctor might have a “magic touch” that can cure a problem faster.
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But in reality, he warns, the practice is creating a cycle of redundant tests, medication risks and rising healthcare costs.
THE ‘MAGIC DOCTOR’ MYTH
The pattern is familiar to many doctors. A patient develops a persistent cough or fever and visits a specialist.
After receiving medication, they expect immediate relief. When symptoms persist after a few days, frustration sets in.
Instead of returning for a follow-up, the patient walks into another clinic, carrying a thick file of incomplete prescriptions and reports, hoping a different doctor will solve the problem quickly.
“This practice is widespread in urban healthcare. While it may feel like proactive health management, switching doctors before a treatment cycle is complete can delay recovery and create medical confusion,” Dr Setty explains.
THE ‘RESET BUTTON’ EFFECT
The first casualty of doctor shopping is medical continuity.
Medicine relies heavily on careful observation and gradual evaluation of how the body responds to treatment.
When a patient switches doctors prematurely, the entire diagnostic process starts from the beginning.
A new physician, unfamiliar with the previous clinical findings, may order fresh tests to confirm the diagnosis.
This can lead to repeated blood tests, duplicate scans, and additional consultation fees.
Patients could end up repeating routine investigations such as blood profiles, liver function tests or kidney panels.
Imaging procedures like X-rays or CT scans may also be repeated, adding unnecessary radiation exposure.
In a country like India, where most healthcare expenses are paid out of pocket, the financial consequences can be significant.
“You are not paying for a new diagnosis,” Dr Setty said. “You are paying to prove the same facts again and again.”
THE HIDDEN DANGER OF POLYPHARMACY
Beyond the financial cost, polypharmacy, or the simultaneous use of multiple medications is a major cause for concern.
Without a single doctor overseeing the entire treatment plan, patients may unknowingly end up taking overlapping drugs.
For example, two doctors might prescribe different brands of the same generic medicine. A patient could unknowingly take duplicate doses of drugs used to control blood pressure, such as beta blockers or ACE inhibitors.
The result can be dangerous drops in blood pressure or other side effects.
“When a patient switches doctors because the first treatment didn’t work in a few days, that diagnostic logic breaks,” Dr Setty said.
The second doctor may again begin with a basic treatment plan, trapping the patient in a loop of entry-level care.
While this delay may not be dangerous for minor infections, it can become serious when the underlying cause is something more complex, such as cancer or autoimmune disease, where early detection is critical.
FUELLING ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
Doctor shopping may also be worsening another major public health threat: Antimicrobial Resistance.
When patients abandon antibiotics midway through treatment and start new ones elsewhere, bacteria are exposed to drugs without being completely eliminated.
The surviving microbes adapt and develop resistance to the medication.
Over time, these resistant strains can evolve into “superbugs” that no longer respond to standard treatments.
HOW TO BE A BETTER PATIENT
Changing doctors is not always wrong. Sometimes a second opinion is necessary, particularly if symptoms persist or if patients feel their concerns are not being addressed.
However, experts say such decisions should be deliberate rather than impulsive.
Dr. Setty recommends a few simple steps that can help patients navigate healthcare more effectively.
Ask for a timeline
Before leaving the clinic, ask how long the treatment should take to show improvement and when to return if symptoms persist.
Keep your medical records together
Maintain a single folder, physical or digital, containing prescriptions, reports and test results. This ensures continuity of care.
Seek a second opinion openly
If you want another doctor’s view, inform your current physician. Most doctors welcome second opinions and can provide a summary of your case.
Communicate when treatment doesn’t work
Instead of disappearing, return for a follow-up and explain that the treatment did not improve your condition. This information helps the doctor adjust the diagnosis and treatment strategy.
It’s always better to view treatment as a process rather than a quick fix.
– Ends
Published By:
Daphne Clarance
Published On:
Apr 1, 2026 07:30 IST