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What the patient may really want

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

As well as the more obvious patient management options, the patient may attend wanting or needing:

  • reassurance
  • an explanation
  • permission to take time off work or other responsibilities
  • permission to follow a desired course of action
  • confidence concerning their management of a child
  • acknowledgement of their difficulties
  • emotional support
  • a sounding-board to explore feelings
  • a physical illness as a face-saver
  • a magic wand - ask what the patient would use it for
  • to adopt the sick role to manipulate circumstances
  • social security or other financial gain
  • to prove no-one can help
  • to get back at the medical profession
  • treatment for depression

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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