In the UK, the classic phrase “British Stiff Upper Lip” embodies a mentality and cultural attitude that discourages openly discussing personal issues for fear of being perceived as difficult or a burden to others. While this mindset may not impact all situations, there are certain matters regarding personal health and well-being where not being completely honest can hold us back from seeking the help and care we truly need. 

In fact, our study found that a whopping 80% of Brits believe the “stiff upper lip” mentality impacts their ability to discuss health concerns with medical professionals openly. The consequences of this, however, can lead to significant delays in diagnosis and treatment in an already overwhelmed healthcare system. 

With NHS waiting lists currently standing at 7.62 million cases in the UK [1], we at MedExpress are on a mission to uncover the truth behind lying to healthcare professionals and how it can affect treatment and diagnosis. 

To investigate the topic further, we conducted a nationally representative survey. This has allowed us to determine what patients lie about most and why they lie, helping us better understand how the industry can encourage a more open dialogue between patients and doctors in the future.

The Truth About Lying in the UK

One evident truth about the UK is that we’re not very good at being honest. Our survey uncovered that a shocking 73% of Brits lie to medical professionals, with 8% of those admitting to being serial liars during consultations (always lying). 

However, lying to medical professionals can have serious consequences. 45% of Brits we surveyed also believe that lying to their doctor has delayed their treatment or diagnosis, of which 15% believe it has delayed it significantly. 

To gain further insight into this issue, Doctor Ashwin Sharma at MedExpress offers his perspective on the impact of patient dishonesty:

“Lying to healthcare professionals, even about minor details, can have far-reaching consequences. Medical decisions rely on accurate patient information, and dishonesty can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatments, or delays in necessary care.” 

“Whether it’s minimising pain levels, withholding lifestyle habits like how much you drink or smoke, or hiding the use of recreational drugs, these omissions distort the clinical picture. Patients need to remember that their healthcare team is there to help, not to judge. Being forthright enables doctors to offer the best possible care, reducing the risks of complications and promoting better outcomes.”

Who are the biggest liars in the UK? 

To delve further into the data, our analysis has examined who and where in the UK upholds the British ‘stiff upper lip’ attitude the most and revealed who tells the most porkies to their doctors.

The study found that men (77%) were more likely to be dishonest to medical professionals than women (70%). However, those of both genders who admitted to “always” lying were closer, respectively, at 6% and 5%. Meanwhile, another key takeaway from these findings was that people were less likely to lie the younger they were. 

But where in the UK is the most affected by this “stiff upper lip” mentality?

It seems the East of England is home to the biggest fibbers, with 82% of people admitting they lie to medical professionals. Closely behind in second place is the UK capital of London, with 81% upholding the “stiff upper lips” tradition, followed by the East Midlands, at 79%. 

The study found Northern Ireland to be the most honest region in the UK, with less than half (47%) admitting to lying to medical professionals. Perhaps the rest of the UK could do with channelling their inner Northern Irish the next time they visit their GP. This could also be said for the North East, South East and North West of the UK, the second and third most honest regions in our study. 

However, it’s all well and good to know who is lying. But what exactly are people lying to their doctors about, and why?

What Are Brits Lying About Most To Their Doctors?

To better understand what patients are lying about, we surveyed the UK in three core areas: how they portray their symptoms, their sexual health and their lifestyle habits to their doctors.

Lifestyle and Weight

Symptoms: Brits are most likely to minimise their pain levels, reflecting a stiff-upper-lip mentality

It was found that Brits were most likely to lie about their pain levels and minimise them when reporting their symptoms to doctors. 38% of respondents acknowledged this tendency and topped the list of most likely to lie about symptoms for both men (38%) and women (37%). This finding directly reflects the stiff upper lip mentality felt across the UK, which is based on not wanting to appear weaker and more vulnerable to others. 

The second most likely issue Brits lie about is under-reporting the frequency of any symptom (31%) for example the frequency of blood in stool. This was followed by omitting symptoms of pain (28%), exaggerating pain levels (16%), and lastly, over-reporting the frequency of symptoms (12%). 

One key thing to acknowledge when analysing this data based on gender is the pattern that men were more inclined to minimise or under-report symptoms than women, potentially reflecting the social pressure placed on what’s deemed as “masculine”. In contrast, women were more likely to omit or exaggerate symptoms than men, potentially in fear of not being believed or perceived as overly anxious. 

Sexual Health: Men most likely to lie about Erectile Dysfunction, with 24% of men also admitting they’d lie about issues of premature ejaculation

Overall, when it came to what topics Brits lie about most regarding their sexual health, the top answer in the survey was… “None”. Surprising… we know. 

28% of Brits believe that they would not lie to their doctor about any issues regarding their sexual health, which is a great finding to conclude. Sexual health is often one of the most vulnerable topics for people to open up about, so knowing that over a quarter of patients have trust in their doctors is a step in the right direction. However, there are still 73% of patients who would still lie. 

For those who do, the most likely issue for Brits to lie about is the number of sexual partners they’ve had to doctors, with 26% of people admitting they’d lie about it. Followed by lying about symptoms of sexual health such as sores and rashes (19%), STIs (11%), sexual orientation (9%) and contraceptive use (9%). 

However, issues around sexual health can be very different for men and women. The top sexual health topic to lie about for women was the number of sexual partners. Meanwhile, men were more likely to lie about experiencing erectile dysfunction (30%), and 24% of men also admitted they’d lie about issues around premature ejaculation, ranking fourth in their most likely list. 

A notable finding among 18-24-year-olds was that 21% admitted they would lie about their sexual orientation, making it the second most common topic to conceal. Despite progress in LGBTQ+ rights, many young people still feel uncomfortable being open with healthcare professionals. Addressing this issue is crucial for fostering more inclusive and supportive patient-doctor relationships.

Lifestyle and Weight: Burnout and stress is a big issue in modern society

The study found that overall, burnout and stress were the biggest lifestyle issues Brits were likely to lie to their doctors about – seeing 28% of patients be dishonest. This is followed by alcohol consumption (24%), depression and anxiety (23%) and smoking and vaping (18%). 

Brits were also likely to lie about their weight, eating, and exercise habits. 14% admitted they would minimise their eating habits to doctors, followed by 12% who would exaggerate them. This reflects the way conditions associated with food are often stigmatised. Also, a shocking 7% would lie about the use of un-prescribed weight loss drugs, a very current and relevant issue that healthcare professionals are facing currently in the industry.

Notably, women were most likely to be dishonest about behaviours relating to depression and anxiety (27%), food intake (26%) and diet (10%), which could be reflective of society’s expectations surrounding women’s body image and emotional control. Whereas men were most likely to be dishonest around stress levels (28%) alongside substance use, including alcohol (24%), smoking (18%) and drugs (8%). This could be partly due to societal pressure on men to appear strong and maintain this stiff-upper-lip attitude, a dated ideal that has no place in modern society.

Why Are Brits Lying?

According to our survey, the main reason Brits lie to their doctors is embarrassment. This was the main concern among both genders, with 49% of women admitting this versus 46% of men. In second place, both genders found common ground in not wanting to be seen as a burden or difficult by their healthcare professionals, with 31% admitting this. Followed by 21% of people fearing they wouldn’t be believed. This was especially true for women, where 24% of them believed this verse 17% of men. Meanwhile, men were more likely to be concerned about their reputation and image, chosen by 21%, versus only 16% of women believing this.  

To explore this topic further, we asked Brits where they get their health information when they don’t want to talk to doctors, and the results are shocking. 

The GP in CHATGPT… 

While we know that AI has rapidly gained prominence, the survey revealed that 36% of individuals under 35 turn to AI as an alternative for healthcare advice and 10% of the population overall.

While AI offers numerous benefits, including in the medical field, it’s important to understand that these platforms cannot provide a tailored diagnosis specific to each individual. Just as with using Google or other search engines— which 56% of people admitted turning to—AI cannot accurately assess unique symptoms.

As the saying goes, “never Google your symptoms!” Each patient is different, and only a healthcare professional can provide the personalised care necessary for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

How Can We Encourage More Openness? 

Encouraging open communication between patients and doctors is key to preventing treatment delays, so what do patients feel would help them?

Our study revealed that 51% of people believe consistently seeing the same doctor would enable them to build rapport and feel more comfortable opening up. Meanwhile, 37% said longer appointment times would allow them a more thorough consultation. 28% also said that a stronger assurance of confidentiality would be reassuring. 

Addressing these concerns can foster a more trusting environment where patients feel empowered to share openly, ultimately leading to more accurate diagnoses and timely, effective care.

Methodology:

1 – NHS waitlist 7.62 million cases figure sourced from here 

MedExpress conducted a nationwide survey across all age groups using the Attest platform to explore patients’ openness with their doctors and how honestly they respond to various health topics. The collected data was then analysed to understand how patients feel and what could be done to address the current issues.