Motives for Lying: Perceptions of Deceptions by Physicians and Patients In the United States and Ghana

Theoretical Background and research questions/hypothesis:  RQ: Are physicians better lie detectors than the general public? H1: US patients will report lying motives to obtain privacy related issues compared to Ghanaian patients

Methods:  This on-line survey study analyzed lying responses during patients’ clinical encounters with their physicians in the United States (USA) and Ghana (GH) using lie motives (Ekman, 2001). Physicians from United States (n = 52) and Ghana (n = 12) were asked to provide the most frequent reasons for lying by patients. Concurrently, patients from US (n =110) and GH (n = 41) were asked to provide the most frequent reasons why they lie to their physicians as well as their perception of “others” lies to their physicians. Of these, 32% (US) and 31% (GH) admitted to lying to their physicians at some point in the encounter.

Results:  Findings indicate that a) patients report lying mostly to avoid awkward situation, obtain reward or avoid punishment from both countries, b) although patients in both countries agreed on the first most frequent lie motive, the proportion of each group indicating the lies was different; 12% of US but 17% of GH physicians reported that patients lie mostly to avoid awkward situation. Similarly, 16% of US and 17% of GH patients reportedly lie to their physicians for the same reason, c) patient participants reported that “others” mostly lie to their physicians to avoid awkward situation in the US (25%) and to avoid punishment in GH (7%) and d) 9% (US) with 5% (GH) of patients report that physicians never detect their lies

Conclusions:  Patients report that physicians never detect when they lie 9% (US) and 5% (GH). Moreover, only 7% of Web MD readers report that their doctor ever caught them in a lie (De Noon, 2004). Secondly, to "obtain privacy from intrusion" although one of Ekman's lie motives, was not reported as the most frequent motive for lying by US patient participants in the study.

Implications for research and/or practice: This study has the potential of benefiting physicians and patients alike; if both physicians accurately understand the motives for patients lying, they can adjust their styles, temperaments, or procedures to reduce the likelihood that a patient feels the need to lie. Keywords:  deception, lying, physician, patient, communication, individualism, collectivism