Mental health and chronic pain patients more likely to be considered ‘difficult’ by their doctor

Medical Xpress January 14, 2026
American College of Physicians

A systematic review of 45 studies found that physicians perceive one in six patient visits in non-psychiatric clinics as “difficult,” and these encounters are more likely to involve patients with mental health disorders or chronic pain. The analysis also found that less experienced providers report more difficult interactions, and these visits often leave patients less satisfied and with unmet expectations. The review is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers from Clement J. Zablocki Veterans’ Administration Medical Center and Medical College of Wisconsin sought to understand how often clinic visits are considered difficult and what factors contribute to these challenging interactions. They conducted a systematic review and analysis of studies of adult patients seen in nonpsychiatric settings that included information...

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