Doctors, please explain

In our first year of medical school, an experienced professor told us, doctors are teachers. In Latin it is. Docere, means in Latin is to instruct or teach. Same goes to Docent. If a doctor can't explain, should we call him or her a doctor? Why not shaman, or medicine man?

I was talking to my neighbour. He had stroke a few years ago. I can't leave my habit of asking medical history. My opening line usually is, "How are you today?" or literally "Are you healthy?"

I inquired about his other illness, how's his blood pressure and blood sugar level. His primary complaint for now is blurring of vision. Opthalmology to me is a fairly easy subject, as long as you follow the algorithm set by our opthalmologist. Is it painful? Is it red? Distortion? Blurred vision? those are the crucial question aside from the basic physical examination.

From the history I've collected, I've came to a conclusion that he's just having refractive error and maybe astigmatism. Those you can correct with glasses. I explained to him that he might need to see an optometrist and get a new glass.

His reply was "Oh! No wonder the doctor asked me to see an optometrist! But I didn't because I think it's a medical thing. So I just don't bother to go."

Had the doctor told my neighbour what he/she think, and explain to him about refractive error and that those complaints can be corrected by making a new glasses, my neighbour would not delay his visit to the optometrist. They keep him hanging, not knowing the diagnosis, possible treatment. And blaming patient for not complying to their advice? Do they give proper advice in the first place?

It's common phrase uttered by the doctors here.
"Please go to the XXX department. There, they'll explain to you what to do"

Instead of using that annoying, ambiguous phrase why not
"Sir, I think you have XXX, My advice s to visit the YYY department. They are more expert in XXX. I'll arrange an appointment for you. Is it ok? Do you have any query regarding to XXX?
By saying this, you give the patient your opinion on his/her illness and the chance to asked any uncertainties.

My psychiatrist use the latter phrase. That's why I respect him.