General Practice

Abstract

This chapter outlines analogies for the common interactions one will have and questions patients will have in clinics regarding their treatment. Key analogies within this chapter are related to non-compliance, using antibiotics for viral infections, taking medications when asymptomatic, short- and long-acting medications, and not investigating unnecessarily. For healthcare professionals, these interactions are the most burdensome, since there is sometimes an inability to convince the patient to change their stance or behaviour. This sometimes manifests as unnecessary testing to placate the patient or failure of treatment from non-compliance or a loss of trust in the healthcare professional. This chapter therefore serves to give readers quick scripts to remove uncertainty and correct the patient’s understanding.