Should Doctors check their books when Treating You?

How was Doctor’s consultation in the olden days? Doctors were arguably like super humans able to recall and reproduce any piece of information. They were the most intelligent of every group of people and you could rely on anything a doctor says as gospel.

You go into a doctor’s consulting room and he listens to you with that wizened look in his eyes, his prescription pad at the ready to write a prescription for your ailment. A prescription you would be unable to read but one that would cure all your problems.

Scenario B

But how would you feel if you went to your doctor and after listening to you he excuses himself and brings out a book or turns to his computer or phone saying he just needs to check a few things about how to manage your condition?

Would you be on your feet and out the door immediately screaming “incompetent!” “Google doctor!”

What if I were to tell you it is actually the second scenario that is good and safe medical practice?

For example, You are on an antihypertensive medication and concerned about side effects. It is better for your doctor to check his books and confirm the side effects are actually from the drug rather than using his memory.

Also, if you need an alternative drug from the one you use it is much safer for your doctor to check his books rather than rely on his memory. At the end of the day you are the one who benefits.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think doctors who do this are just being intellectually lazy?