Do you always tell your doctor the truth?

According to a study published by Jama Medical Education, around 70% of patients apparently lie to their doctors. Here we look at which subjects are the most taboo and why.

The study looked at anonymous confessions of 4,500 patients, revealing alcohol consumption,
tobacco use, forgotten contraceptive use and decreased sex drive were among the most often
avoided subjects. Taking medication prescribed to somebody else is also apparently something
people rarely own up to.

Over a third of patients questioned admitted not saying anything when they disagreed with their
doctor, a quarter that they have sometimes not understood instructions but not dared say, and a
fifth have not admitted to not always correctly following instructions for their treatment.

So is it the fear of being judged? Those participating in the study stated that they don’t want to be
told off by their GP. Yet though these may be small “omissions”, they can have serious consequences
for the health, especially in terms of diagnosing serious or chronic disease.