I grumble about “type” quizzes and tend to shun them. They’re reductive—no one fits perfectly in a box. Still, people as patients often cling to a few specific tendencies out of a combination of personality, health history, and adaptive mechanisms. Consider the types below and see if you recognize yourself, or at least the ways these different traits might manifest in you. Don’t think of it as an assessment of your whole being, but rather of how you respond to medical stimuli.
THE LAISSEZ-FAIRE
Patients of this type keep cool and don’t bother themselves with the details, usually deferring to the experts. They may nod whether or not they fully understand a provider’s instructions, and they trust that all medical intervention is warranted.
The challenge: to stay curious and aware, and assert agency.
THE HEALTH-ANXIOUS
Patients of this type tend to err on the side of caution and never stray far from the locus of control when it comes to their health. These patients are likely to reference a message board at their appointment, or put themselves through extensive testing “just in case.” When their energy is channeled properly, they might catch something the system misses, but they’re prone to more confusion and conflict with providers along the way.
The challenge: to be confident and informed, rather than make decisions based on fear.
THE PROFESSIONAL
My mother, an ob-gyn, used to chase me around the kitchen with a flu shot and scoff at a low-grade fever, so I know this type well. Then I became one! (Fortunately, thanks to my dad’s side of the family, I’ve got a good dose of hypochondria to keep it balanced.) Healthcare professionals can go different ways when it comes to their own healthcare. Some lean too far into the DIY approach. Knowing too much is both a superpower and a weakness.
The challenge: to turn to professional help when it’s warranted.
THE AVOIDANT
Patients of this type might like to remind everyone that their grandfather happily avoided the doc through his nineties and was none the worse. They might tend to let things go, avoiding visits and screenings at all costs, dealing with things at the final hour.
The challenge: to face the music—because none of us gets out of this life without a medical hiccup or two.
THE PRIVATE STOIC
Either it’s not their first rodeo, or they have excellent meditation skills. Patients of this type typically have high pain thresholds and appear outwardly calm and collected despite discomfort. They also tend to be private in matters concerning health. It takes more than the average crisis for them to approach the healthcare system.
The challenge: to effectively convey their experiences so others can help.
Some people might need to open up more, some less. Some need extra structure to stay on top of their healthcare, whether to catch a disease before it’s life-threatening or to make sure their vaccinations are up to date. Some need a little push to remember that the system is flawed and they shouldn’t trust in it blindly. Being aware of your own tendencies can guide you in choosing the best people to get on your medical team, and communicating effectively with them.