"I'm Not Leaving Without a Prescription"

Over the last 30 years, physicians have consistently reported that at least one out of every five or six patient visits was "difficult." A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine only underscores that conclusion.

Difficult patient behaviors include insisting on unnecessary tests or medications, dishing out verbal abuse or disrespect, having unrealistic expectations for care and persistent complaining despite a physician's having done everything possible to assist that patient.

The most frequently-seen difficult behavior reported was patients insisting on being prescribed an unnecessary drug, a problem cited by more than one-third of responding physicians. Primary care doctors said that "difficult encounters" were most likely to occur with young female patients.