Patient-Doctor Communication · USMLE Step 1

A patient frequently misses appointments. Which approach is most appropriate?

  1. "If you miss another appointment, I will discharge you from the clinic."
  2. "Let’s talk about what makes it difficult for you to come to appointments."
  3. "You clearly don’t care about your health."
  4. "I will schedule fewer appointments to avoid this issue."
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: "Let’s talk about what makes it difficult for you to come to appointments."

Understanding barriers helps address logistic or emotional challenges contributing to missed appointments.

Difficulty: Medium Question 17 of 20

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