Ep 18. What You See Ain't Necessarily What You Get

Doogie Howser, M.D. season 3 episode 18, titled "What You See Ain't Necessarily What You Get," follows the story of a patient who has difficulty trusting doctors after a previous experience with misdiagnosis. The episode opens with Doogie treating a patient who comes in with a rash. After diagnosing the rash as a common skin condition, Doogie is surprised when the patient dismisses his diagnosis and insists on seeing another doctor.

This encounter causes Doogie to reflect on the importance of patient trust and how it can be difficult to establish trust with patients who have had negative experiences with the medical system. Meanwhile, Vinnie is dealing with his own trust issues when his girlfriend breaks up with him after he lies about his past.

As Doogie continues to treat patients throughout the episode, he encounters several other patients who are struggling with trust issues. One patient is hesitant to undergo a necessary surgery because of a bad experience with a surgeon in the past, while another patient is suspicious of the medications being prescribed to her.

As Doogie navigates these trust issues, he also grapples with his own insecurities about his abilities as a doctor. He seeks advice from his mentor, Dr. Canfield, who helps him realize that his self-doubt is a normal part of the learning process and that it's important to continue seeking knowledge and experience.

As the episode progresses, Doogie gains the trust of several of his patients, including the patient with the rash who initially refused his diagnosis. However, he also realizes that trust can be a fragile thing, and it's important for doctors to always be honest and transparent with their patients.

In the end, Vinnie comes clean about his past to his girlfriend and they reconcile, while Doogie learns that building trust with patients is a process that involves patience, empathy, and a willingness to listen and learn. "What You See Ain't Necessarily What You Get" is a compelling exploration of the importance of trust in the doctor-patient relationship and the challenges that can arise when that trust is broken or missing.