But before you jump to conclusions, let’s unpack what that really means — because not all bias is bad.
Understanding Bias in Medicine
Every doctor, no matter how well-trained or well-intentioned, brings experience, perspective, and yes — bias — into their medical decisions. In fact, it’s part of being human. What matters most is what kind of bias is at play and whether it benefits you, the patient.
Let’s explore a few of the most common types of bias that shape medical recommendations:
1. Self-Serving Bias
This is the most concerning type — and fortunately, the least common among ethical physicians.
A self-serving bias happens when a doctor’s recommendation benefits the doctor more than the patient.
This can happen when:
A physician is pressured by an employer to practice a certain way.
A financial incentive exists for offering a particular treatment or procedure.
Or, at times, it’s simply an ego boost — favoring what makes the doctor feel most confident or validated.
As a patient, this is the bias you want to be most aware of. A trustworthy doctor is one who explains your options transparently and helps you make an informed choice that’s truly best for you.
2. Specialty Bias
Doctors train for years — sometimes decades — within a narrow focus.
That’s great for expertise, but it can also limit perspective.
Here’s a quick example: a patient comes in with low back pain.
A urologist thinks kidney stones or infection.
An orthopedic physician sees a musculoskeletal issue.
A gynecologist considers uterine causes.
A psychiatrist might suspect depression or anxiety.
Each is interpreting the same symptom through the lens of their training and experience.
That’s why it’s so valuable to find a well-rounded physician — one who can think broadly, collaborate when needed, and consider all possible causes before reaching a conclusion.
3. Success Bias (The Positive Kind!)
This is one bias most of us are happy to admit — and even celebrate.
When a physician sees a treatment consistently help their patients over years of experience, they naturally grow confident in it. That confidence is a bias born from success.
Take platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, for example.
After performing these procedures for over 15 years, we’ve seen firsthand how PRP can:
Reduce pain
Improve function
Promote healing or tissue stabilization
It’s a minimally invasive, holistic option that’s evolving every year — and patients continue to see real value. So yes, we’re biased toward it — because the results speak for themselves.
The Takeaway
Doctors do have biases. Some are positive. Some are neutral. And a few can be negative.
The key for you as a patient is to recognize them and choose your physician wisely — one who:
Has deep experience in your condition
Communicates clearly and transparently
And above all, demonstrates integrity and genuine interest in your best outcome
When you find that, you’ve found a doctor whose “bias” is something you can trust.
