A recent study explains just why we tend to lie to our doctors
| Dec 3, 2018, 12:17 IST
Have you heard the saying, 'never lie to your doctor or lawyer'? Well, it's an important thing to keep in mind. However, we all are guilty of lying to our doctors. Especially when it comes to talks about exercise and sex. Well, a recent study explains just why we tend to lie to our doctors.
The study claims that about 60 to 80 percent of people surveyed have not been forthcoming with their doctors about information that could be relevant to their health. The study explains that we tend to do so because we want to avoid being judged. As part of the study, when the respondents were asked just why they lie to their doctors, they said that they wanted to avoid being judged, and didn't want to be lectured about how bad certain behaviors were.
"Most people want their doctor to think highly of them. They're worried about being pigeonholed as someone who doesn't make good decisions," said Angela Fagerlin, senior author on the study. The results of the research were published in the journal of JAMA Network. Scientists at the University of Utah Health and Middlesex Community College led the research study in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Michigan and the University of Iowa. After the research was conducted, Andrea Gurmankin Levy, an author of the study said, "I'm surprised that such a substantial number of people chose to withhold relatively benign information, and that they would admit to it." "If patients are withholding information about what they're eating, or whether they are taking their medication, it can have significant implications for their health. Especially if they have a chronic illness," added Levy.
The study claims that about 60 to 80 percent of people surveyed have not been forthcoming with their doctors about information that could be relevant to their health. The study explains that we tend to do so because we want to avoid being judged. As part of the study, when the respondents were asked just why they lie to their doctors, they said that they wanted to avoid being judged, and didn't want to be lectured about how bad certain behaviors were.
"Most people want their doctor to think highly of them. They're worried about being pigeonholed as someone who doesn't make good decisions," said Angela Fagerlin, senior author on the study. The results of the research were published in the journal of JAMA Network. Scientists at the University of Utah Health and Middlesex Community College led the research study in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Michigan and the University of Iowa. After the research was conducted, Andrea Gurmankin Levy, an author of the study said, "I'm surprised that such a substantial number of people chose to withhold relatively benign information, and that they would admit to it." "If patients are withholding information about what they're eating, or whether they are taking their medication, it can have significant implications for their health. Especially if they have a chronic illness," added Levy.