A study by the University of Utah Health (USA) suggests that 60 to 80% of people would not communicate essential information to their doctor. The results, published in the JAMA Network Open on November 30, show that in addition to the lies about diet andphysical activity, more than a third of the participants did not take the floor if they did not approve of the recommendations of the health professional. Others admitted that they did not understand the latter’s instructions.
A lie motivated by fear of judgment
To obtain information on the doctor-patient relationship, an online survey was conducted among two populations. A first survey collected responses from 2,011 participants aged 36 on average. The second 2,499 responses from participants aged 61 on average. These respondents were confronted with seven scenarios, in which a patient might feel the need to hide health-related behaviors from the doctor. They were thus invited to select those who had already happened to them, and to develop the reasons for which they had lied.
More than a third of respondents therefore mentioned a disagreement with their doctor’s prescription. A quarter hid not understanding his instructions. Almost one in five indicated that they did not follow their treatment correctly. Finally, 11% did not admit to having taken medication that was not directly prescribed to them. Behaviors that they explained by the fear of judgement. Most said they did not want to be lectured. More than half said they felt too embarrassed to tell the truth.
Significant consequences on health
“Most people want their doctor to think highly of them.Explain in a statement from the University Angela Fagerlin, the lead author of the study. They fear being branded as people who don’t make good decisions. » The problem with lying, the researchers point out, is that doctors can’t offer proper medical advice if they don’t have all the facts. “If patients retain information about what they eat or take their medication, this can have significant consequences for their health. Especially if they have a chronic illness”deplores Andrea Gurmankin Levy, researcher.
But patients cannot be the only ones to blame, Angela Fagerlin believes: “The way providers communicate in certain situations can make patients reluctant to open up. This begs the question “is there a way to train clinicians to help their patients feel more comfortable?” ».
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