Dr. Vince Leone says when patients tell doctors "let me think about it," they usually mean no. The phrase masks distrust in the doctor, the treatment, or the healthcare system, often from past bad experiences. Recognizing this hidden meaning lets clinicians address what's actually bothering the patient.
Which is probably one of the most frustrating phrases for doctors, especially when, you know, there's someone that has the problem, has the desire, and has the means to invest in their health, but they're just not there yet.
Unfortunately, let me think about it, more times than not is a no. That's a very—
that's a kind way of saying, no, I don't trust you. I don't trust the process. I've had some type of bad experience, something along the way.
What specific thing do you need to think about? Is it you don't understand the condition? You don't understand the recommendations? You don't understand the financing? What— try to at least at a minimum get an answer out of them as to what their catch or their holdup is. Is it a lack of confidence in the protocol that they think it won't work? And then If you can get that out of them, then you have to dig in and address the more specific. But let me think about is very vague. Very vague. It doesn't really give you the idea of what they're really— their core objection is. And they may or may not give that to you, but I think it warrants a follow-up probing question as to what specific thing do you need to think about
