Experience. Results.
ALL 50 STATES AND WORLDWIDE
1-877-695-8757
(Calls answered 24/7)

Articles

Most people lie to their doctors

December 7, 2018

According to a recent national survey, 60 to 80 percent of respondents lied to their doctors about their daily routine, such as diet, exercise and even whether they were taking their medications regularly. This can have negative consequences for a patient; it is impossible for doctors to give the best medical advice when they do not know the truth.

“If patients are withholding information about what they’re eating, or whether they are taking their medication, it can have significant implications for their health. Especially if they have a chronic illness,” said one of the researchers.

When patients explained why they lied, most said that they wanted to avoid being judged, did not want to be lectured about how bad certain behaviors were, or were too embarrassed to tell the truth. However, according to the researchers, the patients may not be the only ones to blame: “[h]ow providers are communicating in certain situations may cause patients to be hesitant to open up. This raises the question, is there a way to train clinicians to help their patients feel more comfortable?”

If health care providers are not already being trained to avoid value judgments, and blaming and shaming patients, then it is certainly time to add it to every doctor’s training.

Source & to read more: “Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Patient Nondisclosure of Medically Relevant Information to Clinicians” JAMA Network Open (2018). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5293

DISCLAIMER: An attorney-client relationship with us cannot be formed by transmission or receipt of the information on this Website and any information you send in an e-mail message to this website will not make you a client. We reserve the right to decline any representation for any reason. This Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice. You should not act or rely on any information in this Website without seeking the advice of a lawyer