• Slide 2 of 26: You may be too proud to tell a nurse, physiotherapist or doctor that something hurts during an examination. However, it’s important to tell the truth. The pain that you feel could have a direct impact on the treatment required. If you’re uncertain what level of pain you’re feeling, consult a pain scale or ask your doctor to show you one. As pain is a personal sensation, this tool can help you better express what you’re feeling to others.

Slide 26 of 26: You’ve been to your doctor and they’ve prescribed you some medication. Then, like 20% to 30% of people, you fail to go and pick up your meds from the pharmacy. You didn’t really feel the need to follow the other treatments recommended either (physiotherapy exercises, psychology or nutrition consultations, referral to a specialist, etc.). A while later you find yourself back at the doctor’s office because your problem hasn’t gone away. At that time, you’ll be asked whether you followed all of the prescribed treatment, and might well be temped to lie. This lie, however, could have serious consequences for your health. Your doctor might be obliged to prescribe other treatments with more serious side effects, or invasive medical examinations that you simply wouldn’t have needed if you’d followed the recommendations given in the first place.

 Have you ever lied to a healthcare professional? According to this study, patients lie for a range of reasons—maybe they’re afraid of a certain diagnosis, maybe they want to get hold of certain prescription drugs, or maybe they’re ashamed or afraid of being judged by their doctor.Whatever the reason, here are some of the most common lies that patients tell their doctor, surgeon, nurse, dentist, nutritionist or psychologist.


The most common lies told to healthcare professionals

Have you ever lied to a healthcare professional? According to this study, patients lie for a range of reasons—maybe they’re afraid of a certain diagnosis, maybe they want to get hold of certain prescription drugs, or maybe they’re ashamed or afraid of being judged by their doctor.

Whatever the reason, here are some of the most common lies that patients tell their doctor, surgeon, nurse, dentist, nutritionist or psychologist.