a) The knowledge is democratized on the internet (albeit often without proper context, and with somewhat limited accuracy)
b) You just care a lot more about your own, or a loved one's health/life and are willing to put a lot more effort than a doctor can or an insurance company is willing to pay for.
You may not have a medical degree, but if you're willing to put in 40 hours doing research and your condition is even somewhat unusual, you can probably exceed the knowledge of your doctor about your specific condition.
Regarding b) there's a term "advocating for one's health" and yes, doctors are fully aware of it.
>> you can probably exceed the knowledge of your doctor about your specific condition.
It depends on the doctor. That's why in the US patients first see a general practitioner, then are referred to a specialist. I've met some less knowledgeable doctors for my condition, but I don't discredit them for it. It's a difficult profession.
Plus "doing research on your own" is not a bad idea, but if one deep dives and starts believing ivermectin cures everything, well, I'd say they did poor research, and poor research can be worse than listening to a doctor.
a) The knowledge is democratized on the internet (albeit often without proper context, and with somewhat limited accuracy)
b) You just care a lot more about your own, or a loved one's health/life and are willing to put a lot more effort than a doctor can or an insurance company is willing to pay for.
You may not have a medical degree, but if you're willing to put in 40 hours doing research and your condition is even somewhat unusual, you can probably exceed the knowledge of your doctor about your specific condition.