Page 22 - Binder - English for Doctors

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G. Culture tip

Many patients are reluctant to talk openly about sensitive topics, such as their sexual habits
and drug and alcohol use. Doctors should be patient and understanding and approach these
topics with great sensitivity. Doctors should also refrain from making quick, judgmental
statements about the answers. If a patient says that he drinks three or four bottles of beer a
day, the doctor should not respond, “That’s too much”, but ask “And how long have you
been drinking that amount?”, followed by a question such as, “Do you realize the possible
consequences of continuing to drink that much on a regular basis?”