Health ministry of republic of moldova the university of medicine and pharmacy nicolae testemiţanu

All in the family. 
It’s not always the patient who causes problems, 
of course; sometimes it’s the spouse or adult children. “When you have 
a patient who is terminally ill, in particular, it’s usually the family who 
has the more unrealistic expectation of what can be done,” says Centor. 
“That’s a very difficult situation, partly, when they demand unnecessary 
tests for a patient that you know will only cause suffering and not do any 
good. It eats at your heart. You don’t want to get angry at the family, but 
you are angry at the family.”
His strategy for dealing with unruly families? Suggest they seek a 
second opinion. “Life and death situations are very emotional for fami-
lies and for physicians,” says Centor. “It’s healthy to bring in another 
doctor who can back up what you are saying, which helps the family 
accept what you’ve already told them.” In a hospital setting, you might 
also obtain written confirmation from the ethics committee that they 
agree with your prescribed course of treatment. 
The no-can-do-er patient.
Though not actively combative, the 
non-compliant patient can be equally frustrating. Patients ignore 
healthcare advice for a variety of reasons, including fear of possible side 
effects, cost concerns, a belief that the treatment will be ineffective, and 
language or cultural barriers, to name a few. You can help your patients 
stick with a treatment plan, however, by taking the time to explain the 
reason for the test or medication you’ve prescribed and the 
consequences of failing to follow through. Where possible, use visual 
aids heart scans, blood pressure results to help drive the point home.

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Here’s one more reason: Many people simply forget most of what 
you’ve told them. If they can’t remember, they can’t comply. At the end 
of each visit, ask your patient if she has any questions or concerns. Then 
ask her to repeat back your instructions. Even better: Provide a written 
summary of the diagnosis, recommended treatment plan, alternative 
options, and the potential risks and benefits.