What exactly are you expecting me to do for you?

[orangeshoebox]

aibu in thinking this is the most useless sentence said by a healthcare professional?

who has decided that this is a good thing to say to patients?

It depends on the context of the situation, can you share any more information?

YABU. Does depend on the situation though.

I usually reply “using your medical training and knowledge, suggest treatments or solutions to the problem I have outlined”

I agree OP. I’m a HCP and wouldn’t phrase it in this way.
It would put a lot of patients off and comes across as standoffish and full of attitude.
I think you can ask the same question in a much nicer way that comes across as genuinely caring rather than ‘what are you expecting’

I agree that it depends on context, and whether or not the patient has realistic expectations of what can be done.

Agree with PP. It does depend on the context. Sometimes it’s the best question because people don’t communicate clearly. It’s asking what you would like to happen so we can help to resolve the issue.

I usually say something like ‘I don’t know. I’ve told you what the problem is, would you possibly be able to suggest some solutions?’

That's a definite fail in the bedside manner department isn't it!

exactly ruby
I hate that this being said without offering investigation/diagnosis/treatment option.

GP here- ironically enough we are being taught to say this to try and explore patients “ideas, concerns and expectations”. All our exams basically ram it down our throats to ask this very question - to find out what the patient wants. It can be useful, for example, some people might say “I just want to know what it is” or “I want a note for work” etc. I agree that particular phrasing is clumsy but it always feels awkward to ask! Mainly because half the patients look at you as if to say “well your the doctor!”. Believe it or not, by asking we are trying to help.

it sounds very pissy defensive in my ears tbh. it sounds as if the hcp is loathe to do anything to help a patient.

you can ask differently. ask what are the issues or symptoms.

Numerous other phrases could be used
how would you like me to help you
Let's have a look at the options here
Etc
The implication seems to be that the expectations of the patient are unreasonable, this could be dealt with in a kind way, the practitioner could say something like 'I have concerns that this is outside of my area of expertise'
there is no need to be dismissive and sarcastic

It’s sometimes used as a way to get to the point of what the person is expecting as an outcome. I think it can be used badly in some situations but in other ways it can focus to get to the point

Unfortunately we live in a very high expectation society nowadays

What's wrong with saying
'I'd like to discuss your expectations here so that we can see if they are achievable'
The first phase sounds like a version of 'who do you think you are'

@orangeshoebox I’m not disagreeing. I’m just trying to explain - for some strange reason - the royal college has decided this is what it wants doctors to ask and it’s how we are being trained.

They should already have asked what the issues/symptoms are - this phrase is to try to figure out if the patient has a specific preference for tests or treatment in mind. Some people won’t, but many do come in with a specific thing - for example “I want HRT” or “I want a scan” . Identifying this early allows us to focus more on what you want to talk about - rather than me waffling on about things you’re not interested in

I usually ask something something like “and was there anything particular you’d like do do or try”, and I do sometimes get some surprising answers that I would never have thought to bring up, so I’m that respect it’s useful!

thanks for clarifying bobby

it seems that some hcp get this wrong though and ask this too early without listening to the patient and without exploring options.

I still think this phrasing is problematic though.

it grates a bit rather like being told "we have learnt something from this" (when I had been pestering for years to get dd assessed for asd when said doctor kept telling me diagnosis wasn't helpful & wouldn't admit the possibility. yes it was helpful to her school, education & life!) I understand where pp doctor comes from but sounds ambiguous & it feels intimidating

It’s an arsey way of asking. I would, and have, said to patients, ‘what would you like to achieve from this session/appointment’.

A 'crisis team' worker said this to me. It provoked an immediate and very bad panic/anxiety attack, made me feel like the biggest waste of space and inconvenience.

I do sort of hate it. I’ve had it a few times with my daughter and there is part of me going err I don’t know I’m not the dr. I would like it better if it was something like here are the options. My medical preference would be x but do you have a preference as a parent. A question like ‘what do you want to do?’ felt like the decision was resting on me when I’m not medically qualified to make that decision and wanted someone to tell me what was best.

AlexaAmbidextra I think that is good wording.

They do it when you take kids in as well. Part of patient led care. One Dr asked if I wanted him to prescribe antibiotics. That
is surely a clinical decision, not a mum one! Half the time with kids you just want to know if the symptom is just a symptom or more worrying. My job is to present the ill child, their job to suggest a course of treatment!
It makes more sense when it is for me and I'm seeing them about gynae or mental health issues which can't be cured, only managed.

@bobbypinseverywhere I know about ICE too but I’m not sure you’re supposed to ask it like that - “What exactly are you expecting me to do for you?” sounds confrontational and patronising. The way you phrase it is much better. Plus I suppose it depends a lot on the tone.

It's shitty and lazy, tbh.

I was very taken aback when I heard this. It felt confrontational and aggressive, as if the doctor thought I was wasting their time. It turned out to be something quite serious, so I wasn’t, but even if it had been minor, I think it’s very poor.