--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Relatives and patients also want…" description: "\"“Relatives and patients also want something to be done, rather than ‘nothing’ (which is how they perceive non-operative treatment).”\" — Ian Harris" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3eb/ian-harris-82584_medicine_relatives-and-patients-also-want-somethi_2213386.png" --- # Relatives and patients also want something to be done… ![“Relatives and patients also want something to be done, rather than ‘nothing’ (which is how they perceive non-operative treatment).” quote by Ian Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3eb/ian-harris-82584_medicine_relatives-and-patients-also-want-somethi_2213386.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3eb/ian-harris-82584_medicine_relatives-and-patients-also-want-somethi_2213386.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3eb/ian-harris-82584_medicine_relatives-and-patients-also-want-somethi_2213386.png) > ““Relatives and patients also want something to be done, rather than ‘nothing’ (which is how they perceive non-operative treatment).”” [Ian Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-harris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Patients and relatives often prefer active treatment over inaction, even when surgery isn’t an option. **In simple terms:** People want something done, not nothing. Key Takeaway Address expectations clearly. Themes patient care decision‑making expectations Mood empathetic clinical Type educational practical When to use this quote - pre‑operative counseling - palliative care discussions - clinical trials - hospital policy Key Concepts shared decision‑making risk communication Questions to Reflect On - How can clinicians balance hope with realistic outcomes? - What communication strategies reduce demand for unnecessary procedures? A Different Perspective Overtreatment can cause harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [Non Operative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-operative-4910395/) [Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patience/) [Patients](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patients/) [Patients Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patients-want-900068/) [Relatives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relatives/) [Relatives Patients](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relatives-patients-4910394/) ## Related quotes > [Patients want to be seen as people. 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