Bengaluru doctor shares his worst clinic incident: 'Charged so much fee but no antibiotics'

In clinics across cities, doctors often deal with more than symptoms. They deal with expectations shaped by half-knowledge, internet searches, and assumptions about what “real treatment” should look like. A recent incident shared by Bengaluru-based doctor Niranjan has sparked conversation online after he described a consultation that quickly turned into an argument over antibiotics. His experience highlights a growing gap between medical reasoning and patient perception in everyday practice.

Niranjan took to X to describe what he called one of the most frustrating clinic encounters he has faced. A senior, educated and well-settled patient had visited him with what appeared to be a simple dry cough. After a detailed history and examination, the doctor diagnosed the condition as likely linked to GERD and advised lifestyle changes along with medication suited to that diagnosis. The patient initially accepted the prescription and left for the pharmacy.

However, within minutes, the situation escalated. The patient returned to the clinic, visibly upset and questioned why no antibiotic had been prescribed. According to Niranjan, the conversation quickly turned confrontational, with the patient even doubting his medical qualifications and expressing dissatisfaction over the consultation fee.


He further reflected on what he sees as a recurring issue in clinical practice, where patients often expect antibiotics even when they are not medically required. The pressure, he suggested, is becoming a challenge for doctors trying to follow evidence-based treatment without compromising ethics. Niranjan also pointed to the influence of misinformation and overconfidence shaped by online content, describing it as a growing barrier in patient-doctor trust.

Internet reacts

Social media reactions reflected a mix of frustration, agreement, and concern over the growing gap between medical expertise and public perception. One user pointed out that the issue is not with doctors but with people relying too heavily on Google and online information for self-diagnosis. They added that even basic knowledge of medicines does not replace the training and process required to practice medicine, while also noting that antibiotics are often wrongly expected for conditions like fever.

Another user shared a personal health experience, saying they had dealt with LPR and managed it with proton pump inhibitors, lifestyle adjustments, and simple home measures. They emphasised that in their case, minimal medication was enough and expressed appreciation for medical guidance.

A third commenter highlighted the misconception around medical education, noting that many people assume MBBS is easy to understand through online searches or tools like ChatGPT. They also shared that even among their peers, there are instances of overconfidence in interpreting complex medical concepts without formal training, calling it an ironic trend where highly educated individuals sometimes contribute to misinformation.