TV doctor Dr Amir Khan has shared five things patients should not be ashamed to discuss with their GP, reassuring them that he is never disappointed and never judges. In a recent TikTok video, he outlined the matters people often keep from their doctor, from stopped medication to unfounded health fears.
Honesty about medication and costs
Dr Khan, a regular contributor on ITV's Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, began his video by saying: "Guys, here are things that people don't tell me as their GP because they think I might judge them or be disappointed in them. Well, let me take that worry off your plate - I'm never disappointed. I never judge."
His first piece of advice is to be honest if you have stopped taking a specific medication. "Tell me, I need to know," he said. "Perhaps you have side effects, perhaps you were worried about having side effects, perhaps remembering to take it every day was harder than you expected it to be."
He added: "I don't mind. Just tell me, honestly, because if I think you're taking it and it isn't helping, we could end up changing your whole treatment plan based on the wrong information."
Money worries and medical jargon
Second on his list is to be honest if you are having trouble paying for a medication or affording to travel to vital appointments. "This is really common," he said. "Whether that's a prescription charge for a cream or a tablet, getting to an appointment with transport, the food that someone's told you will help change your metabolic long term condition, okay, tell me. If you can't do it, you can't do it. That's absolutely fine. Tell me what's manageable and we will make a plan we can actually use around you."
For number three, Dr Khan acknowledged that consulting a doctor can involve "an entirely unnecessary amount of jargon and vocab" which can leave the average patient confused. "We try our best, and sometimes, I'm sure I explain things badly, that is just what can happen," he said. "But that's my fault. So you can say 'Amir, I absolutely have no idea what you're talking about. Could you tell me again, please?' And you won't be the first person to say that."
Substance use and hidden fears
While it is natural to worry that a doctor might judge you for consuming alcohol, drugs, or other substances to manage your condition, Dr Khan stressed this is far from reality, and that it is crucial he is made aware. "Whether it's alcohol, drugs, someone else's tablets maybe, these things can affect your health and interact with any treatment I want to suggest," he said. "So I need to know so I can help you safely. Not gonna judge. I'm really not. You just deserve care, whatever you're struggling with."
Finally, Dr Khan urged patients to be honest about what they are concerned may be wrong, even if their concerns are unfounded. "You might have come in about a headache, but someone has told you 'oh, it could be a brain tumour' and you've put off an appointment because you're scared of what we might find," he said. "Tell me that. Tell me what you're worried about, because I could explain my assessment and still leave you carrying the very fear you came in with because we haven't addressed your fears. You know, that's the whole point - you tell me what you're worried about and we'll work it out together. That is all I'm going to do."
Wrapping up, he said: "So remember, when you come into a doctor's appointment, I don't need to be impressed. Just tell me what you need to tell me. I will not judge. I will only do my best to look after you. I promise."
