CultureDr. Christopher Watson: Asking Questions Saves Lives
A single, tragic oversight can change a life forever. For Dr. Christopher Watson, that moment came during his time as a high school science teacher in Atlanta, Georgia, when a 16-year-old student under his care lost her life due to a fundamental misunderstanding of her asthma medication.
This devastating event didn't just alter one life; it redirected Dr. Watson's entire professional path, inspiring him to become a physician dedicated to ensuring no patient is left in the dark about their own health. The student, who suffered from asthma, reportedly did not grasp the crucial difference between her rescue inhaler and her control inhaler. Compounding this critical lack of knowledge, she also lacked a primary care physician who could have provided the basic health education that might have saved her. Reports from the time indicate that "Nobody had explained the basics to her," a grim reality that deeply affected Watson. He later reflected on the incident, stating, "It was a miseducation around a medication that could have saved her life."
This profound experience served as a turning point, permanently shifting his career aspirations from teaching to medicine. Driven by this tragedy, Watson committed himself to a new calling. He went on to earn his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, followed by completing his residency at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. Today, Dr. Watson is a board-certified family medicine physician and holds the significant position of Chair of Family Medicine at Ascension Southside Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. The stark lesson learned in his teaching days—that "Information saves lives. Silence does not. The most powerful thing you can do is ask"—continues to be the guiding principle of his medical practice.
In his current role, Dr. Watson frequently encounters patients making common yet potentially dangerous mistakes. These include leaving appointments without a clear understanding of the discussion, failing to ask why a particular medication was prescribed, or neglecting to prepare questions in advance. He recounts numerous instances where patients returned home confused, only to avoid seeking clarification later due to discomfort or perceived inconvenience. To combat this, his advice to patients is direct and empowering: "Write your questions down before you arrive." He also champions the use of patient portals, suggesting they can be used to send questions ahead of time, allowing physicians to prepare, or to send messages if new questions surface after an appointment. He firmly believes that optimal health outcomes are a shared responsibility, emphasizing that "A physician can make every recommendation in the world, but if the patient is not on board, nothing changes."