Doctors reveal the four words you should avoid saying at your next check-up
Experts across the nation are warning patients against uttering the phrase, 'Just one more thing' at the end of their appointment.
Dr Lisa Ravindra, a primary care physician at Rush University Medical Center, said: 'I've heard it many times. I find it's often things that patients are hesitant to bring up at first, and they're working themselves up to be brave enough to discuss it.
'But it's often the most important thing they came in for.'
According to Dr Ravindra, patients tend to inform their providers of serious symptoms, such as chest pain and difficulty breathing or side effects due to medications, at the end of their appointments - thinking that they are of no consequence.
However, the quick mention of this type of information can make a significant difference in their overall diagnosis, treatment and type of appointment as it can help them better understand the problem, she claims.
Additionally, she also noted that doctors tend to end up late to their other appointments when patients bring up deep discussion-worthy symptoms at the end of their own.
She told TIME: 'Should I dive into a conversation with them, and be late to see the next patient (and the one after that)? Or should she ask them to schedule another appointment to discuss whatever they brought up?
'Then you risk patients feeling dismissed,' she says. 'They made the decision to finally talk about it, and I'm asking them to talk about it another time.'
A 2018 Statista survey found that most physicians spent between 17 and 24 minutes with each patient during the day - a major reason for patient dissatisfaction.
Researchers noted that most US doctors saw between 11 and 20 patients each day - which Dr Ravindra claims can make it difficult for her to give ample time to each patient.
British doctors, meanwhile, cram in 25 to 40 patients on average a day, while in the European Union, doctors see no more than 25 patients per day to ensure sustainable practice and quality care.
Furthermore, Dr Melinda Steele, a primary care physician in California, added: 'The "just one more thing" scenario happens all the time.
'Doctors are like ducks: We're calm and collected on the surface, but we're moving it under the water.
'We're getting blasted from all different directions, having to triage things, go through messages and labs, and see patients in clinic. It's better to not be surprised by a doozy when you're trying to get out the door.'
According to both experts, it is better for patients to make a list of all their symptoms and problems beforehand.
Dr Steele explained: 'A lot of people come to the doctor's office and they're nervous and forget what they want to bring up, so writing it down can offload some of that and make sure the issues are actually addressed.
'If you have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness, move them to the top of the list and mention them up front.'
She also recommends patients book appointments and seek out physicians as soon as they notice a symptom rather than wait and complain about multiple ailments at once.
Dr Steele told the magazine: 'It's pretty common for people to come in with a big list of issues, because they feel like there needs to be enough to justify taking time off work.
'Reaching out to your doctor earlier and tackling issues earlier can definitely prevent complications and ensure appointments are as seamless and satisfying as possible.'
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