“Long-term unexplained complaints are complaints where the GP cannot find a physically demonstrable cause after a physical exam,” says Stortenbeker. “But patients still have ailments. These are very common ailments, such as headache, back pain, irritable bowel. Complaints we all suffer from at times, but can persist at times.”
Don’t use negative words with a negation
Stortenbeker found that the doctor’s choice of words can make a big difference for this patient group. “GPs are encouraged to communicate positively, but in my research we looked: What is positive communication?” Stortenbeker gives an example of a physical examination of the lungs. “The GP then says ‘I don’t feel anything crazy’. This is a negative wording with a denial.” She explains that it is better for a family doctor to give a similar message in terms of content. “For example, ‘Lungs sound clean’. With this language we see after consultation that the patient’s anxiety level is lower.”
Stigma
“There is a bit of a stigma about these patients. It is immediately thought to be between the ears,” says Stortenbeker. “The idea may still exist that patients exaggerate complaints.” The researcher explains that patients with unexplained complaints and patients with explainable complaints were compared. “We looked at: How do they express these complaints? On all kinds of linguistic indicators, including language intensity. And we actually didn’t see these differences at all.”
“Both GPs and patients find it difficult”
What is the best way for a family doctor to say that he cannot find a physical explanation, for example, for persistent abdominal pain? “There are no rules. In fact, I don’t even think it makes sense. Positive language is important, but we are not gurus of positivity. I think it is indeed pertinent to say even once that there is no clearly demonstrable physical cause.”
So be real, but don’t be discouraged. “The intention is that both GPs and patients will feel better communicating in this way. Both GPs and patients find this kind of conversation difficult.”
