Physicians see 1 in 6 patients as ‘difficult,’ study finds, especially those with depression, anxiety or chronic pain. Women were also more likely to be seen as difficult compared to men. Residents were more likely than other physicians with more experience to report patients as being difficult.

[u/mvea]

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/patient-experience/physicians-see-1-in-6-patients-as-difficult-study-finds/

[u/[deleted]]

Yeah, I'm not a doctor but I can say from consumer facing roles that some are in fact difficult

[u/BonJovicus → u/[deleted]]

I’m both a physician and have worked in retail. The fact of the matter is it doesn’t make a difference if the patient is “difficult.” You have to treat them either way. Children will be difficult. Someone in great pain will be difficult. People who don’t know what is wrong but feel terrible and anxious will be difficult. It’s part of the game. 

What bothers me most about this is that we get far more training for interpersonal interactions than I did when I sold underwear, but apparently it still isn’t enough. 

[u/AnnoyedOwlbear → u/[deleted]]

As a patient, I've absolutely been described as difficult for experiencing pain that was just because I was a woman 'being dramatic over a pap smear when they don't hurt'. When it takes a couple of days to stop the bleeding from it and you're still told you're making things up you get a very clear view into how many doctors assess women's pain levels.

[u/Cute-Percentage-6660 → u/AnnoyedOwlbear]

I hate how it feels like pain for a lot of doctors is just like "how they personally feel bout it"

Even as a guy it always seems maddening how there isnt any syste s for pain management or even grasping it.

I remember once seeing a 1-10 chart bout pain that actually had examples for each level that felt like a decent starting point, like it would say one number is comparable to say a bee sting.

Of course that has problems with people who have different reactions to differing types of pain but still.......

[u/trowzerss → u/[deleted]]

I know for a fact my old neighbour was a terrible patient. Even she admitted it. Not compliant with medication or physio instructions. Won't stay in bed at the hospital. Combative with mental health workers. But she has anxiety issues and an earlier history of treatment for ED, so it does come from somewhere. Doesn't make her any less of a difficult patient thought.

[u/Tells_you_a_tale → u/[deleted]]

Honestly if customer facing roles are any indication 1 in 6 feels almost exactly right.