How to Convince a Reluctant Relative to Visit a Doctor

Even though it’s unusual for a person to fear going to the doctor, yet you can conflict to know what to do when a person you care about most is in need of medical treatment but is refusing to get the treatment. You don’t need to simply roll over without problems, but you also can’t pressurize someone to visit a doctor either. Convince your relative to visit a doctor through a conversation, try to share your worries and also know their issues. Then, meet and work with them to get a solution that fulfills their requirements and tell them the importance of visiting a doctor for their treatment. 

1. Having a Conversation: 

• Don’t wait until a crisis: The most important and difficult thing is to convince someone to visit a doctor for check-up or treatment. Convincing someone is not easy, you have to make a quick decision, and may also not be in favor of your relative’s interest. So, it’s better to have a detailed discussion with them. For example, if a teenage girl in your vicinity or relatives gets pregnant and feels uncomfortable or hesitates to tell anyone including her doctor because of some privacy issues. Ask your relative about her prenatal care plan as soon as possible so that the baby gets proper care from the mother. Similarly, taking your old parents or relatives with you for their routine check-ups before any medical problem arrives. Ask your parents about their concerns and tell them to follow some health measures.

• Approach the subject with care: Don’t corner your relatives and loved ones. By cornering your loved ones or relatives you can make them more resistant to help. Try having a healthy conversation with them with no pressure. Choose a time for conversation when both of you are relaxed in a comfortable environment with no distractions and disturbance. 

 

• State your concerns clearly and with love: With the discussion, if your loved ones are still not open and casual with you then move your discussion ahead. If the condition is serious then you should be clear and forward about your concerns. For example, tell your father “Dad your arthritis can get more serious. You won’t be able to move your legs because of pain. I love you and I’m worried about your health. Let’s go to the doctor and you’ll feel better.” Keep telling your concerns so that your loved ones would be able to consider your suggestions. 

 

• Ask questions: If your loved ones still feel uncomfortable and hesitates to visit the doctor for their treatment, you need to give them more information about their health. Find out the reason behind their hesitation and help them to solve their reluctance or hesitation. Ask some questions from them related to their problems. For example:
  • Do you like your doctor?
  • Why did you stop visiting the doctor? 
  • What worries you?
  • Why don’t you want to visit the doctor?

 

2. Figuring Out a Solution:

• Find an ally: Sometimes, your loved ones are more open and close to the outsiders than their own relatives. If you face difficulties in convincing your relative, find someone who is close to your relative, maybe some friends or a community leader. Tell them to talk and convince your relative to see a doctor. You can also ask your loved ones about the person they are close to and ask that person to help you convince your relative. 

 

• Let them choose the doctor: There may be a lot of reasons for hesitation to see a doctor, such as Gender differences, cultural barriers, educational gap, etc. If your relatives have any one of these issues then you need to talk to them and work on how to solve their issues and help them find a good and trustworthy doctor who can understand the patient’s situation and makes them feel comfortable. For example, if your relative is a female, try to find a female doctor to examine her or if your relative worries about visiting the hospital then look for a private clinic. Set up the consultation with the doctor before treatment so that the patient would know the doctor.

 

• Know your limits: Despite the best try, your loved ones or relatives have the right to make their own decisions regarding visiting a doctor, until your relative’s health is at risk. It’s better not to force or pressurize anyone. If your relative refuses to visit the doctor then try contacting the doctor and ask him/her to call the patient for an appointment. 

 

3. Making a Doctor Visit Bearable: 

• Use positive language: Use positive language or behavior to explain the importance of visiting a doctor and also to make your loved ones feel comfortable and stress free. Explain the environment of the clinic or hospital to reduce their stress level. Speaking in a harsh or worried tone and using negative language can make your loved ones or relatives more stressed. So, you need to have positive talks with your loved ones and make a positive image of the doctor. It would help the patient feel more comfortable and relaxed while treatment.

 

• Schedule it for a suitable time of day: It’s not that simple to book an appointment with the doctor. It may look simple but it’s not. The doctor may be too to book an appointment with you. If your relative is convinced to visit the doctor or to have the treatment done but you don’t get a proper time for their check-up because of the busy schedule of the doctor, it may develop a negative image of the doctor. Make sure to take an appointment with the doctor when the doctor is free and have enough time to check the patient properly. Schedule an appointment at a suitable time. For example, if the patient is old and feels healthy and active early in the morning and feels low in the afternoon then try to get an appointment early in the morning to feel more positive while visiting the doctor. If you didn’t get an appointment in the morning then you can also go for e-visit or consultation on skype. This way your patient would get time to talk to the doctor at their home in a comfortable environment.

 

• Plan exciting activities afterwards: For many people visiting the doctor is boring and stressful. You can make the visiting day more exciting and happy by planning exciting and fun activities after the consultation. For example, if you have an appointment with the doctor in the morning or evening then after the consultation go shopping, movie or lunch or dinner at a restaurant. You can also take the children to parks and amusement parks.