Are Your Patients Increasingly More Skeptical And Rude?


Many physicians have reported an increase in rudeness among patients these days.

And many have reported patients being much more skeptical of doctors, healthcare in general, and insurance companies.

And all of these issues seem to have gotten much worse after Covid came to the United States.

It’s not hard to understand why patients have become more skeptical.

During the height of the Covid crisis, we were told many supposed medical truths that proved to be false.

We were told that, if you were vaccinated, you could not get Covid. In fact, it was stated that Covid was a disease of the unvaccinated.

That was false. It has been shown to be false an innumerable number of times. However, the most recent and most high-profile example was Joe Biden getting Covid again, despite having received multiple vaccinations and boosters.

We were told that the vaccine was safe, yet there were and continue to be widespread reports of bad side effects.

And most of us would have forgiven those who told us the wrong information, if they had just owned up to it and acknowledged it was wrong.

The Covid pandemic was not anything anyone had experience with. It is understandable that no one could have known everything that was needed. But they should have just acknowledged that and not treated us like we were stupid, and they were all-knowing when it was quickly clear that wasn’t true.

And since it has been 4 years with no apologies or acknowledgment that it was mishandled by our leaders, it is easy to see why people are more skeptical and don’t trust our government.

Unfortunately, that lack of trust has spilled over to healthcare in general, insurance companies, and even down to individual doctors.

In addition, patients are quick to look symptoms up online and determine for themselves what their diagnosis is and what treatment they should receive.

Then, when they see you and you don’t agree with their assessment, it creates friction. It also requires more of your time to explain to them why what they thought was wrong couldn’t possibly be true.

The well-known phrase, “Please do not confuse your Google search with my medical degree,” is funny but more true than ever.

But as much as the skepticism is understandable, the rudeness is not as easily understood.

Is that a result of social media? I don’t know.

People sure can be rude on social media, but it used to be that, in person, people were much more composed and diplomatic in their words.

It is also understandable that people are more stressed these days.

Prices are up, and for many, wages are down.

Many have very little saved for retirement. Recent reports showed that a large percentage of people were unprepared for even a $300 unexpected expense.

Mortgage rates are up. Many can’t afford a home anymore.

Insurance rates are up. Some are downgrading their car insurance to liability only.

There is a lot of bad news in the world.

So, how should physicians handle patient rudeness?

Show empathy!

Most rude patients are not lashing out at you personally. They are just stressed.

Many of them just want to think that someone else cares.

Their rudeness says more about them and their situation than it does about you.

It is hard in a long, busy clinic to take extra time to help patients with other life issues besides the medical issue that brought them in, but sometimes, even five more minutes of genuine sympathy and empathy can make someone feel new hope.

Rudeness is not acceptable, but often it is a symptom of other issues.

Treating the rudeness with empathy and hope may be exactly what they need!