TV doctor Dr Amir Khan, known for appearances on ITV's Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, has shared nine things patients do not need to apologise for during GP appointments. In a TikTok video, he revealed a recurring habit he hopes patients will abandon.
Dr Khan, who works as a GP alongside his broadcasting career, said: "Can I tell you some things I genuinely do not care about when you come and see me as your GP? Because honestly, honestly, the number of things patients apologise to me for just this week alone."
What patients apologise for
He listed examples including patients saying sorry for not shaving their legs, for the appearance of their feet or toenails, or for not tidying up or shaving before an intimate examination. "Please, you're having a medical examination. I am not bothered about anything else," he said.
He also told patients not to apologise for putting on weight, for crying while describing their problems, or for forgetting the name of a tablet. "I've got a computer, I can look it up," he added.
No need to say sorry
Dr Khan urged patients not to say "I'm sorry to waste your time", explaining: "You're not wasting my time. If something is worrying you enough that you've made an appointment to come and see me, that's what I'm here for."
He encouraged patients not to feel embarrassed about disclosing medical concerns, saying: "I promise you, whatever you're about to tell me, there is a very, very good chance I've heard it before." He noted that bodies "bleed, they leak, they smell, they make noises at deeply inconvenient moments".
What really matters
Dr Khan also said patients should not apologise for not coming in sooner, adding: "You're here now. That's all that matters." He emphasised that the only thing he cares about is that patients feel able to tell him what is really going on.
He concluded: "So come as you are, cry if you need to, don't shave anything on my account, and please stop apologising for just being a patient. You're not an inconvenience. You're literally the reason I'm here."
