Emergency Room professionals are encountering a rising archetype in healthcare: the contrariot patient. Often skeptical of conventional medicine, these individuals bring their own unique challenges (and sometimes entertainment) to the ER. Here are the hallmark traits of the contrariot ER patient:
1. Self-Diagnosis Expertise
Armed with YouTube videos and blog posts, the contrariot patient insists their condition is definitely not what decades of medical training would suggest. They might claim, “This rash is clearly from 5G radiation, not an allergic reaction.”
2. Treatment Refusal
Contrariots are notorious for rejecting standard treatments. They’ll refuse antibiotics because “Big Pharma just wants to profit” but will eagerly demand garlic-infused essential oils to cure sepsis.
3. Alternative Medicine Advocacy
Contrariots often arrive touting the benefits of their latest remedy, such as colloidal silver for a broken bone or a crystal bracelet to lower blood pressure.
4. Distrust of Medical Staff
Their default stance is skepticism. Doctors and nurses are “just part of the system” until they agree with the contrariot’s theories, at which point they are briefly considered trustworthy.
5. Endless Questioning
No test, procedure, or diagnosis goes unquestioned. “What’s really in that IV bag? Is it microchipping me?” is a common refrain.
6. Refusal to Follow Up
Contrariots often vanish after initial treatment, claiming they’ll heal naturally or consult their naturopath instead of returning for follow-up care.
7. The Litigious Threat
If their refusal to follow medical advice results in complications, the contrariot might threaten legal action, claiming malpractice for not supporting their “alternative truths.”
Final Note
For ER staff, the contrariot patient is both a challenge and a masterclass in patience. Treating them effectively requires a delicate balance of empathy, humor, and a willingness to navigate uncharted conversational territory.
Contrariot.com 