Difficult Patients (nurse/PhD commentary)

ASCO Connection

 We all have our fair share of so-called “difficult” patients. And, I would suggest that how we define “difficult” is as diverse as we are as health care providers and as individuals. Some patients come to us with that reputation—perhaps, a vague descriptor in a referral letter or a note in the patient’s chart. Maybe the receptionist or nurse makes a side comment that the next patient is “challenging” or “uptight,” and we accept their assessment......