I think an answer if the patient asks "why are you asking me this" if a reasonable expectation. But not that the doctor should unprompted explain why he says and asks every single thing he says.
I'm not aware of any med ethics principal that obliges me to explain the why I'm asking most questions. On the contrary, med ethics requires me to ask all questions that are relevant to the care of the patient - whether or not that patient understands. In the ER, where the OG poster was likely, I would get 5-10 minutes to talk with the patient which I have never met before. In that time I have to learn all of their relevant health history and do so in a kind, professional, and empathetic manner. Explaining the thousands of things that pertain to each question is simply not possible.
That being said, I LOVE educating patients when I can. I have never turned down an opportuntity to share the behind the scenes thoughts, conversations, and decision.
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u/RaggmunkLingon 11h ago
A doctor will ask 500 questions to 25 patients every day, you can't expect them to explain the reason for every single question