Going to the doctor can be an intimidating experience, especially when there is a semi-serious or embarrassing health-related issue you need to bring up.
However, doctors are on your side, and it's their job to help you with any health concerns you have.
So why do you lie when the doctor begins to ask questions?
A little fib, or twisting the truth may seem like a good idea at the time. Of course you want to keep your image positive in your doctor's eyes; but it could be harming you in the long run.
One of the most common lies is smoking, which people tend to hide because smokers typically pay 15 to 20 percent more for health insurance.
But consider this: your doctor won't be able to help you to his or her fullest ability without knowing the truth. When you're thinking of lying during an appointment, does the lie outweigh the risk of a health consequence?
Emergency Physician and Director of Patient-Centered Care Research at George Washington University, Dr. Leana Wen, MD, shares the most common lies told to doctors and why it's important to just fess up.
Lies You Tell Your Doctor: It’s Time to Confess
When you're thinking of lying during a doctor appointment, consider this: does the lie outweigh the risk of a health consequence?
Additional Info
- Segment Number: 3
- Audio File: staying_well/1345sw1c.mp3
- Featured Speaker: Leana Wen, MD
- Book Title: When Doctors Don't Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests
- Guest Website: Dr. Leana Wen
- Guest Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/DrLeanaWen
- Guest Twitter Account: @DrLeanaWen
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Guest Bio:
Leana Wen, M.D., is an emergency physician and Director of Patient-Centered Care Research at George Washington University.
She is a former Rhodes Scholar and received her training at the University of Oxford and Brigham & Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, where she was on the faculty at Harvard Medical School.
Inspired by her own childhood illness and then her mother's long battle with cancer, Dr. Wen is passionate about guiding patients to advocate for better care. She has been featured in TIME, Newsweek, ABC News, NPR, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, the New York Times, Washington Post, and the award-winning HBO documentary, Reporter.
Dr. Wen speaks regularly across the U.S. and internationally on patient-physician communication, healthcare reform, and her critically-acclaimed new book: When Doctors Don't Listen: How to Avoid Misdiagnoses and Unnecessary Tests. - Length (mins): 10
- Waiver Received: Yes
- Host: Melanie Cole, MS
Published in
Staying Well
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