The ‘Problem Patient’: Modest Advice for Frustrated Clinicians

摘要

"Problem patients" are rare, but they take up a dispropor- tionate amount of clinician time and energy. They often are defined in terms of the effect they have on clinicians rather than any specific behavior – such effects can in- clude frustration, self-doubt and unprofessional behavior. The key to avoiding those pitfalls is to take a deeper look and understand what is behind patients' problematic behaviors. Given the vagueness of the term there are many potential etiologies, most of which are address- able, at least in part. This article presents a brief guide to identifying and managing the various conditions that can cause a disruption of the usually rewarding doctor-patient relationship, and also encourages us to consider the role we might play in this disruption.