Media Coverage: Dr Dominic Greenyer Explains What ‘Normal’ Really Means

Dr Dominic Greenyer, GP and Director at The Health Suite, has shared expert insight into how the word “normal” can sometimes be misunderstood during medical consultations.

Speaking to HuffPost UK following a recent study published in Nature Human Behaviour, Dr Greenyer explained that when doctors describe a symptom as “normal”, they may mean that it is common, expected in a particular situation or consistent with a certain stage of life.

“When a doctor describes a symptom as ‘normal’, they will often mean that it’s common, expected in a particular situation, or consistent with a certain stage of life. It does not necessarily mean the symptom is insignificant, imaginary or something the patient simply has to tolerate.”

Dr Greenyer highlighted examples such as hot flushes during menopause and perimenopause, or pain following surgery, explaining that something being common does not necessarily mean it cannot or should not be treated.

“‘Common’ and ‘untreatable’ are two very different things.”

He also explained that doctors may use “normal” when discussing blood test results or examination findings that fall within an expected range. While this can be reassuring, it does not always explain why a patient feels unwell or mean that no further support is available.

“This study highlights how easily well-intentioned reassurance can be misunderstood. A doctor may be trying to say, ‘This is recognised, and you are not alone’, while the patient hears, ‘There is nothing wrong, and nothing can be done’. Clinicians need to make that distinction explicit.”

Clear communication and next steps

Dr Greenyer stressed that reassurance should ideally be accompanied by a clear plan, whether that involves discussing treatment options, explaining how long symptoms are expected to last, arranging follow-up or outlining when further medical advice should be sought.

“Ideally, reassurance should be followed by a clear plan. That might involve discussing treatment options, explaining how long the symptom is expected to last, arranging follow-up or telling the patient what changes should prompt them to seek help again.”

He also encouraged patients to ask questions if they are unsure what their doctor means by “normal”.

“Patients should not be afraid to ask, ‘When you say normal, do you mean it is harmless, or simply that it is common?’ They can also ask whether treatment is available and what they should do if the symptom persists, worsens, or begins affecting everyday life.”

Dr Greenyer emphasised that patients should not assume that persistent or significant symptoms need to be ignored simply because they have been described as normal.

“Being told something is normal should never be interpreted as an instruction to ignore a significant change in your health.”

He advised that further medical advice may be appropriate when symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening, particularly when accompanied by warning signs such as unexplained weight loss, unusual bleeding, a new lump, chest pain or breathing difficulties.

 

Click here to read the complete article “‘Normal’ Means Different Things To GPs And Patients, And It May Affect Treatment” in HuffPost.