ABSTRACT
Patient anger is often justifiable. It may relate to intense fear, grief or a past negative experience in another health service or with another doctor. It may be in response to a diagnosis, rudeness from members of staff, a prolonged waiting time, an adverse event, or a perceived lack of support from family, friends and doctors. Some patients carry vulnerability and anger with them due to past medical experiences, may have difficulties establishing a trusting relationship with their treating doctor, and may possess challenging personality traits and behaviours that may predispose them to querulousness. Doctors who are targeted by unreasonable complainants require the support of skilled mental health professionals to help them set firm boundaries and limits, and to debrief after encounters and attacks. Querulousness is a behaviour into which mental health professionals can provide insights conducive to its better management in courts and complaint organizations.
