I feel fine doc...really

From New York Newsday-

Many women have no qualms about not telling the truth to their doctors and a whopping 52 percent say they give in to the temptation of what they feel is a harmless "little, white lie."

The finding was made by Dr. Nancy Jasper, an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons. Jasper said it's very likely that men also hide the truth on the examination table, but as an OB/GYN, she said, she focused on the patients she sees most often.

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Key among her findings in a national survey of 526 women is that respondents who admitted to lying say they are not concerned about the consequences. Jasper said a lie can lead to a wrong prescription, which can prove detrimental. Participants in the survey were between the ages of 25 and 49.

"I always ask my patients whether they smoke," Jasper said. "A lot of women will say, 'No, but I am a social smoker.' And I say: 'You'll have to define that for me because I have no idea what that means.' They'll say they only smoke on weekends.

"But you start to uncover more when you ask: 'How many cigarettes do you smoke in a week?'" Jasper said.

She said she tells patients that even casual smoking can lead to conditions such as emphysema and lung cancer, and that smokers over age 35 who also are on hormonal contraceptives are at significantly increased risk of blood clots and stroke.

Jasper said women sometimes do not intend to lie, they simply forget about important medical information that can have an impact on the health care they receive. Many reveal neither the kind nor number of over-the-counter drugs and supplements they take when questioned about medications they're on.

But is not telling the doctor about OTC drugs or supplements the same as not telling them you're having this pain or that pain? Not in my opinion. It isn't in a patient's best interest not to be candid with a doctor. The doctor is(or should be) a professional, what you tell them is confidential. You need to keep them fully informed of all medicines I take. If you don't, you could end up like this person. (Without the tatoos and overwhelming media coverage)

One last note- If we did a survey of men and women, I'd think men would poll in even lower numbers when it comes to being truthful with their doctors.

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