According to a report by Metro (UK) on September 11, 2026, during a visit to the doctor, patients usually expect to explain their symptoms while the doctor takes notes and works towards identifying what may be wrong. But there is one question commonly asked by doctors that has left many patients frustrated: “What is it you’d like me to do?”
The question, which is frequently used by NHS doctors, has attracted criticism from patients who believe they are visiting a medical professional precisely because they need guidance, diagnosis and treatment.
TikToker Charlie B, who lives with endometriosis and fibromyalgia, recently expressed her frustration after being asked the question repeatedly during medical appointments. Many people responded to her post, saying they had experienced similar feelings.
One commenter said they disliked being asked what they wanted the doctor to do because they were not medical professionals. Another sarcastically suggested that the doctor should provide the answer, since they were the person who had spent years studying medicine. Others described the question as condescending and demoralising, with some even comparing it to something they might hear from a manipulative partner.
However, GP and therapist Ben Davis explained that there is a professional reason doctors ask about a patient's expectations.
According to Dr Davis, the question forms part of GP training and is linked to a patient-centred approach known as “ideas, concerns and expectations”, commonly abbreviated as ICE.
The framework is designed to help doctors understand what patients think may be happening, what worries them and what they hope will happen during the consultation. Asking what the patient would like the doctor to do helps establish their expectations.
Dr Davis explained that failing to ask the question could lead a doctor to make assumptions about what type of investigation, treatment or medical intervention the patient wants. Some patients, for example, may simply be looking for reassurance rather than medication or further tests.
However, the approach does not always work perfectly. Some patients say they clearly communicate their concerns and request medical intervention but still feel that their symptoms are not properly addressed.
The issue is particularly significant for patients whose conditions can take a long time to diagnose. In 2025, Jess’s Rule was introduced to encourage GP teams to reconsider a diagnosis when a patient attends three times with the same symptoms or concerns.
The initiative followed the death of Jessica Brady, who died from cancer in December 2020 at the age of 27. She had reportedly attended her GP practice 20 times during the five months before her death, but her illness was not identified.
Endometriosis is another condition where patients can face prolonged delays. The average time for diagnosis is currently around nine years and four months, while 39 per cent of women reportedly visit their GP at least 10 times before endometriosis is suspected.
Dr Davis acknowledged that, in circumstances like these, asking a patient what they want the doctor to do can easily be misunderstood.
He said he understands why patients may find the question frustrating or condescending, particularly because many people attend medical appointments expecting the doctor to provide answers and recommend the appropriate course of action.
To avoid confusion, Dr Davis said he sometimes explains that he already has ideas about what could be useful but wants to understand what the patient hopes will happen during the appointment.
He has encountered patients who become irritated when asked about their expectations, with some responding that determining what should happen is precisely why they came to see a doctor.
Despite this, Dr Davis believes understanding a patient's expectations is an important part of creating an effective treatment plan. He said the question may sometimes be misunderstood, but knowing what a patient thinks could help allows the doctor and patient to work together towards a suitable plan.
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