EHAC Community Education:

The following are strategies to overcome denial and resistance to medical attention:

• Find out the most critical issue on the patient’s mind. Offer to take care of that concern or ask a bystander.
• Suggest that the victim check out any early symptoms, no matter how mild they may seem.
• If the victim is anxious regarding a spouse or family member, offer to call them.
• Enlist family members or co-workers to help you.
• Try to relieve tension with appropriate humor.
• Be personal and persistent. Sit and talk - don’t walk away.
• Congratulate the victim on his or her good judgment: “Great! Let’s just get it checked.”

Next