In some ways I do practice my own medicine and doctors are just QA. I know when I need antibiotics, or I have a strong hunch, I just need them to confirm and write the script (They do this over apps now). My GP wasn't much help with a problem I was having, so I had to track down a specialist who would listen, eventually I was found to be RIGHT, and again just needed the doctor to write the script.
Not saying they don't know more than me about the body, naming its parts and what they do, but I know best when something isn't right and the amount of doctors you have to go through to get them to admit "OK, you feel bad, something is wrong, let's have a look" and actually do something other than go through the motions is astounding.
Edit: Leaving this but kind of wish I hadn't left this comment. I had a point to make, and maybe its in here, but this just comes off stupid. Sorry.
> I know when I need antibiotics, or I have a strong hunch, I just need them to confirm and write the script (They do this over apps now).
Frequently people do not know when or if they need antibiotics. People often end up taking antibiotics for viral infections (which do nothing). The CDC points out that taking antibiotics for viral infections can do more harm than good [1] and this leads to antibiotic resistance [2]. It's pretty unlikely a doctor would prescribe you antibiotics for a viral infection, certainly at the population level. This is why they're in the loop.
There's a lot that goes into prescribing antibiotics. For instance, do you have a bacterial, viral, or amoebal infection? Is it gram-positive or gram-negative? Broad-spectrum antibiotic or targeted? Is it worth the potential risks to your gut health? [3] How about side-effects and contra-indications? What if you have something else entirely?
You are overlooking the role of intelligence in the success rates of anything you try to do yourself. Fixing your car, running a business, investing and researching your own disease are all tasks that some people are far more likely to succeed at than others.
Not saying they don't know more than me about the body, naming its parts and what they do, but I know best when something isn't right and the amount of doctors you have to go through to get them to admit "OK, you feel bad, something is wrong, let's have a look" and actually do something other than go through the motions is astounding.
Edit: Leaving this but kind of wish I hadn't left this comment. I had a point to make, and maybe its in here, but this just comes off stupid. Sorry.