Fibbing to Your Physician Can Hurt
By Polly Campbell
Do you tell your doctor the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Not likely. Apparently, nearly half of us fib to our physicians, according to a survey conducted by WebMD. But that’s not news to doctors.
“Seasoned clinicians learn that patients are not always truthful in their answers,” says Paul Ciechanowski, MD, a psychiatrist at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle.
For example, many patients claim to take their medications regularly, when, in reality, most people miss a dose or two each week. Others neglect to report all the medications and supplements they are taking. And people commonly fudge about not-so-healthy drinking, eating and exercise habits.
But these omissions can have dire health consequences. Patients who forget to mention the medicines they are taking – including vitamins, supplements or over-the-counter medications – could be at risk for dangerous drug interactions.
Aside from the health hazards, withholding information or lying to your doctor can thwart the physician’s ability to tailor the most effective treatment plan. If a patient claims he has taken his medication as prescribed, but isn’t experiencing any benefit, his doctor may increase the dosage. That could cause problems if the patient then begins taking the pills regularly.
“Patients rarely intend to lie or mislead,” Dr. Ciechanowski says. “People want to be respected by their doctors, and often want to please them by telling them what they want to hear.”
So why do some patients fib? They tend to omit some facts – and even intentionally lie about others – when they feel judged, invalidated or even ashamed, says Mark Thompson, MD, a family practitioner and director of the Providence Medical Group in Portland, Ore.
Topics such as mental illness, sexual dysfunction and domestic abuse never may come up because the patient feels too embarrassed to broach the subject. In the case of diet and exercise, it’s often more a matter of selective memory.
Doctors need to let their patients know that it’s OK to be less than perfect, Dr. Ciechanowski says. And patients need to find a physician with whom they feel comfortable talking openly and honestly. Ask questions, don’t apologize for taking too much time and, if the doctor recommends something you don’t want to do, be assertive and ask about other options.
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