We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
Radcal IBA  Group

Download Mobile App




Patients Commonly Withhold Information from Doctors

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 18 Dec 2018
A new study reveals that patients often hold back relevant medical information from their doctors that could be prejudicial or beneficial to their healthcare.

Researchers at Middlesex Community College (MXCC; Middletown, CT, USA), the University of Utah (Salt Lake City, USA), the University of Iowa (Iowa City, USA), and other institutions conducted a study involving 4,510 adults in order to examine the frequency of patient nondisclosure of medically relevant Information and their reasons for doing so. More...
Participants were recruited via two online surveys, one using Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) from March 16 to 30, 2015 (2,096 respondents), and the other via Survey Sampling International (SSI) from November 6 to 17, 2015 (3,011 respondents).

The results showed that 81% of the MTurk participants and 61% of the SSI participants said they had avoided disclosing at least one type of information, with the most common reasons for nondisclosure not wanting to be judged or lectured, not wanting to hear how harmful a particular behavior is, and being embarrassed. In both groups, women, younger participants, and those who rated their own health as poor were more likely to admit they withheld information. Most withheld the fact that they disagreed with the doctor's recommendations or that they didn't understand the doctor's instructions. The study was published on November 30, 2018, in JAMA Network Open.

“Many respondents in these surveys intentionally withhold important information from their clinicians, and were most likely to do so when they disagreed with or misunderstood their clinician’s instructions,” concluded lead author Andrea Gurmankin Levy, PhD, MBe, of MXCC, and colleagues. “Patient failure to disclose medically relevant information to clinicians can undermine patient care or even lead to patient harm. A better understanding of how to increase patients’ comfort with reporting this information may improve the clinician-patient relationship and patient care.”

“An awful lot in medical care depends on the patient history, and we know we're not always getting the full story. Full disclosure puts the burden and responsibility on the patient, which may not be a practical way to solve this communication problem,” said Arthur Elstein, MD, a retired physician of the University of Illinois (Chicago, USA), in an accompanying commentary. “Instead, health care professionals should be aware of the nondisclosure issue and look for ways to uncover details in a technical way, such as an impersonal online survey before face-to-face appointments.”

Related Links:
Middlesex Community College
University of Utah
University of Iowa


Gold Member
STI Test
Vivalytic Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Array
Gold Member
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
New
Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer
iUF118-GX
New
Powered Surgical Stapler
ECHELON 3000 Stapler
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to HospiMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Hospital Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of HospiMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of HospiMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of HospiMedica International in digital format
  • Free HospiMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: The Minder Implant can record brain activity continuously for very long periods (Photo courtesy of Epiminder)

Implantable Device Continuously Monitors Brain Activity in Epileptic Patients

Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent and serious chronic neurological disorders, impacting around 52 million people globally. It is characterized by recurrent seizures, which are caused by abnormal electrical... Read more

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The engine-free, nonlinear, flexible, micro-robotic platform leverages AI to optimize GBM treatment (Photo courtesy of Symphony Robotics)

First-Ever MRI-Steerable Micro-Robotics to Revolutionize Glioblastoma Treatment

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat brain cancers. Traditional surgical procedures, such as craniotomies, involve significant invasiveness, requiring large... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.