29/10/2025
12 Types of patients
In your career as a clinical officer or a doctor you are going to meet quite diverse number of patients. Here are 12 Types of patients you are likely to meet:
1. WebMD bug/The self-diagnoser:
You know this patient. This is the one who is convinced they've contracted a rare, bird disease after entering a few common cold symptoms into an online symptom-checker.
This patient is sure they have something rare, trendy and difficult to treat. They are often disappointed when they don't have multiple specialists asking them insightful questions they've already prepared answers for.
2. Hear me out type.
These are circumstantial in nature, once they start talking about their illnesses,there is no stopping. They want you to hear all irrelevant details until you enter into hypoglycemia.
3.The skeptic.
These incredulous patients are always looking for a second opinion. They may come into their appointment with medical knowledge after a little online research. However, this patient is hesitant to accept any of your explanations or advice, questioning your every move. They may make you doubt your medical knowledge because they have been to more than 3 good doctors.
4. Do you know who I am type.
These don't want to waste time on the queue or long procedures, they want things done their way because they are from a politically exposed home, are on some type of insurance scheme or are professionals of noise making. Whatever you say they'll respond with.... do you know who I am? I pay a lot of money blah blah blah, my business/kids this and that.
5. Do me a favor.
These never admit of their sickness. They always have a number for a health worker that they call before coming. They frequently have STIs but will say, I feel malaria-ish.
6. The one with the overbearing family:
Here’s another one you’re likely to see. You know the drill—walking into a patient’s room chock full of visiting family members. All eyes shift to you. In an instant they bombard you with a litany of questions. Or they try to speak for their fully capable family member in a misguided attempt at showing they care.
7. Timid ones.
These will need hours to think about whether you should examine their privates or not. You may even wonder what they came for in the first place or how they contracted the disease they came with.
8. Bipolar.
These will refuse you to attend to them and when pain kicks in they start begging and asking for you.
9. Spotlights.
These are never sick but just come to cause drama at the hospital to just gain attention they can fake an illness just to have someone attending to them.
10. The one you get attached to:
You’ve been told not to get attached to your patients, but the head and the heart don’t always agree. You’ll likely find yourself remembering special patients long after they’re gone. Whether it was their optimistic outlook, or the way you bonded before a big surgery, some patients occupy a special place in your heart.
11. Generous.
These will give you something after you attend to them as appreciation token and get your number, from there onwards you work for them, they will call you anytime and will come to the facility to be attended to by you only. You can't refuse because they have a leverage (you were bribed).
12. The one who thinks they’re a doctor/CO:
You’ll treat a few of these patients throughout your career. They think they know enough to make sound medical decisions—despite how much your professional opinion differs. They actually think they know enough to be consulted.🤣 They may be medical students or grew up/ related to a doctor.
They have pride induced goiter, the thought of them swallowing their pride and accept that you know more and better than them still sucks.
Which type sounds familiar from your experience?
P.s. Nurses meet quite diverse pts too, way different from the ones listed here.
The Clinician
