7 Key Takeaways
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1
17% of primary care patients considered difficult.
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2
Higher prevalence in patients with chronic conditions.
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3
Less experienced providers rate encounters as more difficult.
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4
Difficulty linked to worse patient outcomes.
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5
Emphasizes need for provider training in communication.
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6
Difficult patient perception can be modified.
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7
Integration of psychosomatic approaches suggested.
A systematic review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine revealed that physicians label 17% of primary care clinic patients as difficult, particularly those with chronic pain, anxiety, personality disorders, and depression. Lead author Jeffrey L. Jackson, MD, highlighted that less experienced providers are more likely to perceive patients as difficult, with rates as high as 41% among chronic pain patients on opioids. Difficult encounters lead to worse patient outcomes, including unmet expectations. The study underscores the need for better communication training and integration of psychosomatic expertise in general medical settings.
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