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Doctors are well aware that their patients lie about details as seemingly minor as eating habits and as imperative as current prescribed medications. Frequently, such omissions are the result of pressures patients experience while in the doctor's office. Perhaps, simple changes in the communication between doctor and patient would be sufficient to deter the latter from bending the truth, out of pride, shame, or ignorance. From the mouth of Dr. Bruce Rowe of Milwaukee: "Doctors have a rule of thumb. Whatever the patient says they're drinking, multiply it by three. If they say two drinks a day, assume they have six."
Michael Levine, a twenty-eight year old Los Angeles man, learned first hand the risks involved in omitting the truth. Pride took precedence when Levine sought pain relief for a wrist injury. He did not care to divulge his use of Xanax for anxiety treatment. The combination of Xanax and Vicodin is potent enough to place one into a comatose state. Fortunately, the man returned to his doctor after experiencing persistent fatigue, and eventually admitted his former exclusion.
Cases such as the one above are not uncommon. Often, a patient's environment greatly influences the way he or she chooses to answer a doctor's questions. When sitting on an uncomfortable examination bench, wearing a revealing gown, one is not very apt to make oneself at home and be completely open when asked to answer personal questions. Accordingly, when a patient is asked why he or she failed to take his or her medication as prescribed, a patient will be more or less defensive, depending on the way in which the doctor words the question. Occasionally, a patient does not understand the instructions on a bottle of medication and is simply too embarrassed or proud to ask for further explanation.
The continual evasiveness of patients brings us to one question: What more can doctors do to provide a comfortable atmosphere for their patients, and in turn encourage honest responses to all posed questions? While there may be numerous, subjective answers to this inquiry, many doctors feel that taking extra time in asking their patients even the most basic of questions leaves less room for false replies. Additionally, treating a patient with the utmost respect, as well as remaining open-minded, and non-judgmental are definite requisites for a doctor who is seeking a patient's confidence. While these answers may seem simple, even the smallest of ventures can require great effort and patience.
