Encouraging Parent to Seek Medical Attention

Medical Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hello Dr.'s,

I’m wondering what your approach would be to encourage an unwilling parent to seek medical attention?

My Father is in his 60’s, is 40-50lbs overweight with a 40" waist circumference, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, and a family history of cardiovascular issues (his father had 3 strokes). He has been complaining about chest pains for the past three weeks, which has me concerned.

When trying to discuss and encourage him to visit the doctor, he completely shuts down, walks away, or asks to change the topic of conversation. He seems unwilling to even discuss it. In our most recent conversation, I managed to get out of him that he “avoids going to the doctor like the plague.”

​​​​​​I’ve attempted similar conversations about diet, exercise, and lifestyle with him before, with similar results.

​​​​​​What would your approach be here? I don’t what to catastrophize, but considering his lifestyle and risk profile, I am concerned about the chest pain he has repeatedly mentioned.
​​Thank you.
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2

I agree with your concern here. I would probably ask things like:

  1. what he thinks the chest pains might mean (and, if not mentioned, make it clear that this could indicate a potentially life-threatening heart problem)

  2. why, specifically, he avoids going to the doctor, and explore/try to address those concerns. Perhaps there was a particular experience in the past that has led him to feel this way, but working through it may help come to the “rational” conclusion that getting his current condition evaluated should not be impacted by what happened in the past, especially when the risk right now is so high.

I might also ask what his plan would be if he continues avoiding the doctor and the chest pains persist or progress/worsen, making it clear that your concerns are coming from a place of concern for his health.