Why does the doctor ask "How are you today?"

I think that the reason they ask that is because they need to know exactly how you are feeling so that they can better treat your symptoms. Depending on how you are feeling, exactly, will depend on what kind of treatment the doctor shall administer to you.

Hahahahahaha! I've often wondered that myself! One of these days, I'll answer with "I'm just fine, thanks! I guess I really don't need to be here" then get up and leave! Actually, I thought about that question and our usual response which is, typically, "Fine, thanks!" If I know it's just a courtesy thing, I'll say, "You don't want to know" and they usually leave it at that. Sometimes I'll say, "Been better." It's an honest answer to a courtesy question. If it's the doctor or one of the nurses asking, I now say, "That's what I'm here to find out." They usually get a chuckle out of it or at least smile at my response. It is funny, though, having your doctor ask that question. After all, isn't he (or she) the one who's supposed to be telling us how we are?

Well, the doctor probably asks this because if you're deathly ill he'll want you to pay cash during the exam, because if you give him a check you might die before it clears! ;-) But seriously, when I go to the dr. it's usually for an annual physical, not because i have a problem. So he genuinely doesn't know how I am that day... whether I have any health problems, any changes to my health, etc. And of course people tend to ask "how are you?" as a greeting in all kinds of situations, even when you know they don't care how you are, and when no one is expecting an actual detailed answer. (Most co-workers would be surprised if they asked me "how are you?" in the morning and I responded with a status report on how I slept at night, the fact that I have pain in my Achilles tendon, my annoyance with the repetitive work I have to do, etc.!)

Hey Reinydawn, I was just at the clinic getting a blood and urine test prior to my doctor's appointment in 3 days. The 2 nurses I can in contact with asked me this very question. I answered them almost as you did, I said "This is why I am here, these tests will let the doctor know how I am doing in a few days". There have been times at the doctor's when the nurse and doctor ask, I always say "I would be better if I did not need to come here." You are very correct when you said this should be a Bill Engvals "Here's your sign!" You made me chuckle with this one.

I do not get this either. Aparently if you are at the doctor you are not doing very well. I went to the ortho back in November for a broken ankle, I hobbled in and the nurse said well I am not going to ask because if you were doing okay you would not be here.. I thought to myself. Smart lady.

Hi, I am a nurse and I know why we ask you that question and why even doctors do ask that often to clients. You see reinydawn, how you are feeling is a subjective output. That's why we ask 'How are you feeling today?' It's partly out of courtesy but it definitely has a purpose, speaking medically. When you say, 'not too good, I have pains here and there', that now becomes part of our assessment. We try to link your symptoms(your subjective output on how you fee) and your signs (based on nursing judgement) to be able to have an initial diagnosis. You see, those assessments are essentially important in determining your condition that is why, when someone from the medical fiels asks you that question, answer it truthfully and genuinely as possible.

I'd say most medical staff asks that question first of all to give the impression that your well-being is important to them, and second as an ice-breaker to talk about your condition.

It is funny. I realize they do it to be polite but wouldn't you just love to tell them how you really are feeling. Another thing that I find amuzing is when you make the doctors appointment you basically have to know whats wrong with you. I feel like telling them "If I could write a script myself I wouldn't even come in."

Hello reinydawn, That's a really good question. When doctors ask me 'How are you today?' i assume they're asking for my symptoms and so i reckon when they ask you that question, they're probably asking about your symptoms. Perhaps next time ask a doctor? =)

My doctor always asks me how I feel today.I think they just don't know what to say half the time.

I'm a nurse. We do ask that because we want to know what's your condition before the examination. That way we can diagnose directly to where the problem is. For example, you didn't say anything to the doctor, so the doctor would not know where to start. you will undergo the full body check-up, that is too expensive. Unlike if you will say what you really feels, the doctor would concentrate on that particular matter.

I've always thought of this was more of a kind comment to say. When I know my friends are going through a tough time I still ask them how they are doing because I know that it is the kind thing to say. Of course, there is also the times the doctors are meaning it as an intro to finding out what is wrong with you. So, I'm not too offended when asked this question.

That is how we greet our patients especially if we see them in the clinics in their follow ups. You can say, i have this backache or I have a headache.This can have a follow up questions in order for us to have good history.

I know exactly what you mean. Of course it is out of politeness and common courtesy that you are being asked how you are, but the answer should be quite obvious. If you were "fine" you would not be in a doctor's office. I never know how to answer this question when I am asked. Usually instead of saying "I'm fine" as expected, I will just tell the truth and say, "Not that great.." or, "Okay, but..." or something along those lines. Whatever comes to mind at the time is what I usually respond. Sometime it might sound kind of odd but after all, the question is kind of odd too.

I don't get that at all either, I remember when I was in the hospital because of my asthma for a week when i was younger, one of the nurses asked me that all of the time and in my head i thought "how do you think I am??? I can't breathe on my own, i have to drag a iv post with me just to go to the bathroom, im so weak i can barely walk, oh and Im a young teen thats been stuck in one room for days!" but of course thankfully I was raised right and was polite and just said things like "im feeling a bit better"...and you are so right about it qualifying for the "Here's your sign" joke

Well, it is a god question, however, even if you are there to see a dr for some reason, you might not feel well, but being well can vary. You mihgt have some pain or feeling sick, but in other way things can be fine, for example, you have all you need in life and that can make you feel well. So the question is asked to perhaps get some god response other than what you are there for. You might say - from part of I have pain in my back, then other things are fine.

Yes, this is a very good question! I have often wondered that myself. After all you don't go to a doctor when you are feeling well. It is similar to :" Have a nice day!" You feel so sick and then someone says have a nice day. hahaha!

I don't mind them asking coz most diagnosis are reflected from you own observations and responses regarding how you feel that day. Medical people can't read minds so they need to ask why you are there... why you need a check up etc. Your know symptoms can be used to evaluate their past experience or if they have handled such cases before and then that's the only time they will give prescriptions if all of your symptoms matches a known disease. If its unknown, of course it will be under deliberation and you'll undergo a lot of tests so they could pin point if there's something wrong... No healthy person will ever enter a hospital and consult a doctor and pay for a price for no apparent reason. Which is why being a vet is so hard... helping a sick animal comes with a great challenge coz it can't speak, how can it communicate... all that's left is guessing and observation... some animals die coz the vets can't figure out what's wrong... If you're undergoing a lifetime medication like me, you will be the one spilling out the details and do the reporting on your current developments, provided you really want to stay fit and healthy.

Well i live in Singapore and i am not a doctor but clinics here do not actually ask you this kind of question, but from my point of view i think the question is more Psychological. I mean nobody can say they are not in pain when they are feeling the pain depending on the person's threshold. A person would be able to judge the seriousness of your sickness or pain by the answers you reply. I think the phrase " how are you today ? " or " how are you feeling today ? " is just a nicer way to ask you " whats your problem and how serious is it ? " or "Let me rate you from one to ten and see how much you are suffering ". I'm not in anyway condemning the health system but in a way complimenting them for a job well done. Having lot of patience towards sick people that sometimes can be quite rude at times.

Well, doctors really ask that question "How are you feeling today?" or "How do you feel today?" and it's normal for me. I think they just want to know what might your health problem is (if you are a first-time patient of that doc) or what's the development in your condition (if you're there for follow-up). They know for sure that you are not totally OK but they just want to know what you feel so they will know what to ask next. Of course you need to say how you feel so the doctor can easily distinguish your illness and confirm it with laboratory examinations.