Burden of Difficult Encounters in Primary Care: Data From the Minimizing Error, Maximizing Outcomes Study

Nearly 1 of 6 outpatient visits is considered difficult by physicians.¹ Difficult encounters are more likely to occur with patients who have a mental disorder, present with more than 5 somatic symptoms, exhibit high use of health services, possess a list of complaints, or have threatening and abrasive personalities.^2-7 Physicians report that they secretly hope that their challenging patients will not return and find that, in general, difficult encounters are time-consuming and personally and professionally unsatisfying.⁴