Dare to Doubt: Trusting Your Instincts in Medicine

The Unknown Path Podcast

What happens when you know something is true—but everyone around you insists it isn't?

In this episode of The Unknown Path, physician, researcher, and global health educator Dr. Donese Worden shares the experiences that shaped her philosophy of "Dare to Doubt"—the belief that asking better questions, trusting your instincts, and staying curious can change both your health and your life.

From a life-changing experience during medical school involving her mother to challenging long-standing assumptions about cancer biology, this conversation explores what it means to think critically while remaining grounded in science, compassion, and patient-centered care.

Trusting Your Instincts in Medicine

Dr. Worden reflects on the experience that forever changed her approach to medicine. When physicians advised her family to stop treatment after her mother's stroke, she trusted her intuition and advocated for continued care—a decision that ultimately led to her mother's recovery.

That experience became the foundation for her lifelong philosophy of empowering patients to ask questions, seek understanding, and become active participants in their healthcare.

Rethinking Cancer Through Metabolic Science

The conversation also explores why Dr. Worden believes cancer should be viewed through both a metabolic and genetic lens. She discusses how growing research into cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function is expanding our understanding of cancer and why new scientific ideas often face resistance before becoming accepted.

Patient Advocacy and Better Healthcare Decisions

Throughout the interview, Dr. Worden emphasizes the importance of patient advocacy. She shares practical questions patients should ask before beginning treatment and explains why understanding your options is essential when making complex healthcare decisions.

Women's Health, Artificial Intelligence, and the Future of Medicine

Dr. Worden also discusses her work advocating for improved representation of women's health in medical research and artificial intelligence. She explains why more inclusive health data is essential for developing better diagnostic tools and more personalized healthcare.

In This Episode You'll Learn

• How the "Dare to Doubt" philosophy was born
• Why patient advocacy can change healthcare outcomes
• How metabolic science is reshaping conversations about cancer
• Questions to ask before beginning medical treatment
• Why women's health must be better represented in medical research and AI
• How curiosity, tolerance, and critical thinking lead to better health decisions

Watch the full conversation above to hear Dr. Donese Worden discuss intuition, scientific curiosity, patient empowerment, and the future of medicine.