heartsink patient

Questions

What does heartsink patient mean?

A recurring patient who cannot be definitively cured, such as one whose condition is undiagnosable or untreatable or who presents nebulous symptoms.

Where does heartsink patient come from?

From the idea that the patient's approach makes the doctor's heart sink in dread.

How to pronounce heartsink patient

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “heartsink patient”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “heartsink patient”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “heartsink patient” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.