Why don't doctors explain much!

Personally, I enjoy talking to my patients & finding out more about their lives. However, the reality is there simply isn't enough time.

Last week, in clinic there was a patient that had 3 previous heart attacks. His cholesterol was sky-high & he was refusing medication (statins) to bring this down. He explained,"I read on a website that statins are bad for you doc". I spent a good 45 minutes with him explaining the benefits of statins versus their disdvantages. I explained that on average, patients live longer & are less likely to have another heart attack.

In the end, he decided to agree to take statins & walked out a happy man. "Thanks for explaining everything doc. I wished my GP had gone through this with me."

When he walked out the door, I saw how many patients had accumulated in the waiting room I ended up going home an hour late that day. Every other patient who came in after me was either complaining or grumpy.

Serves me right for trying to do the right thing. What should I have done? What would you do in my place?