Truth Be Told: Most Common Things Patients Lie About

Truth Be Told: Most Common Things Patients Lie About

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Do you ever feel like suddenly your patient’s exam has transformed from a doctor appointment to a poorly played game of bull…? Let’s face it, patients tend to tell those little white lies that seem harmless but actually impact the quality of care you can provide. As a physician, your job is to squash that. It’s important to know the most common things patients lie about, how to tell if they’re lying and how to get them to spill the truth.

Five Most Common Things Patients Lie About

1.     They NEVER binge eat while watching Netflix. Who does that?

Diet is probably the most common thing that patients lie about. No one wants a lecture about their eating habits. This is why patients tend not to fess up to junk food, binge eating and ignoring your diet recommendations. The reality of it is, there are very few of us who have the self-control to eat healthy all of the time. It’s important for you to understand what your patient’s normal diet consists of so you can make recommendations accordingly.

2.     Of course, they only have ONE drink when they go out.

Why is it that we feel like we’re about to get that disappointed look from our grandma if we admit we have a few drinks after work? Despite the fact that drinking is a common and widely socially acceptable bad habit, people tend to fib about how much they actually drink. They also deny any use of illegal drugs. This can be dangerous depending on the type of medication you decide to prescribe your patient.

A doctor and patient talking on a couch discussing the most common things that patients lie about

3.     Unprotected sex… that’s scandalous!

Sex. It’s like no matter how old we are, it’s the one subject that makes us all giggle like elementary school kids. Of course, no one gets caught up in the moment and has unprotected sex with their partner. They most definitely never do it with strangers. Sex – the number of partners they’ve had and safety precautions that were taken – is another one of the most common things patients lie about.

4.     Vitamins every day.

Patients think that because you’re a doctor, you’re extremely health conscious. As a result, they try to come across like they are too. They will tell you the common tale… they eat healthy, exercise, and definitely take their vitamins every day. They have no idea why they’re back again with their third cold this winter.

5.     I took my pain meds as prescribed, but somehow, I still ran out early…

Drug use, and in some cases drug misuse, is a sensitive subject for many patients. With the opioid epidemic spilling over the news every day, it’s harder and harder for patients with drug dependence to tell this lie and get away with it. That means when they try to get more pain or anxiety meds than needed, it’s up to you to figure out how to help them. It’s important to identify if they have a physical dependence on the medication, if they are addicted to it or if they aren’t taking it at all. Some patients actually sell their prescription medication for money.

How to Tell if a Patient is Lying and Get to the Truth

A female doctor talking to a male patient. It appears he's telling her one of the most common things patients lie about.

We could spend all day talking about the most common things patients lie about. Depending on how long you’ve been a physician, you probably have heard all kinds of crazy stories. But, most importantly, how can you tell for sure that a patient is lying and what can you do about it?

When people are lying, their body language often gives them away. Unless, of course, they have a really good poker face. For the most part, patients may avoid eye contact, hesitate in their answers, or fidget in their seat uncomfortably. If you sense that someone is lying to you, it’s probably best not to straight up call them a liar. Here are some more subtle approaches:

Ask the question differently.

Perhaps if you ask the question differently, or a series of questions related to the original question, you may get the truth. For example, if you ask a patient if they’ve had unprotected sex recently and they say no, you could ask other questions such as, are you with a new partner, or would you like me to do an STD test?

Lecture Anyway

If the patient refuses to budge on their lie, and you still have a great sense that they are lying – go into your speech anyway. For example, let’s say you have a diabetic patient who claims they are abiding by their diet and not eating sweets. You can tell by their blood sugar levels, overall health and appearance that they are lying. Instead of calling them out, remind them that they want to continue not eating sweets because it can lead to a. b. and c. Sometimes, you have to tell them what they’re trying to avoid hearing in order to clear your own conscience.

What are some of the most common things patients lie about to you, and how do you tackle the truth? Share with us in the comments below!

Author: Locum Jobs Online

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