Back to blog home
Dealing with angry patients at one point or another is a given for most healthcare providers. In fact, according to one study, upwards of fifteen percent of patient encounters are considered difficult. For that reason, it’s incredibly important that a staff protocol be in place to manage patients.
Improve patient conversations with OhMD
Learn more about HIPAA compliant patient communication
6 recommendations for dealing with angry patients
In a perfect world, patients would never be unhappy with the care they received. As much as we all wish that was the case, there will always be dissatisfied patients. Here are some of our suggestions to help all office staff when dealing with angry patients.
Stay calm
When patients lash out, it can be difficult to keep your cool. But this is one of the most important recommendations to keep in mind. It is essential to resist the urge to become defensive when being confronted by a patient.
Instead of raising your voice or speaking over the patient, allow them to finish what they have to say. Once they have aired their grievances, respond to them in a calm, soft tone of voice. This is naturally disarming and will make the patient feel heard.
Remain empathetic, compassionate
Putting yourself in the patient’s situation will allow you to understand where your patient’s frustration is coming from. It will also help you determine the response best suited to address the issue when dealing with angry patients.
Engaging in empathy is a conscious decision, meaning it does take effort. But, empathy also allows you to fully listen to the objections your patients may have, and manage them appropriately. Oftentimes, the root causes of anger in patients are anxiety, stress, or pain.
Oftentimes, the root causes of anger in patients are anxiety, stress, or pain.
Acknowledging feelings and being compassionate to patient stressors, predicaments, or grievances will give patients the space they need to express their feelings in a productive way. And having this information may help with creating a treatment plan moving forward. Validating patient experiences is a great step toward building a trusting, positive relationship.
Keep in mind body language
Body language goes a long way when dealing with angry patients. How you carry yourself, especially in difficult situations, is just as important as what you say.
Generally, you will want to avoid crossing your arms or standing with your hands on your hips. These are traditionally considered defensive postures, and may make patients feel like you are not listening to them objectively.
Prove that you are listening
We all just want to be heard, and difficult patients are no different. Aside from actively listening to their complaints, you can show an angry patient that you are listening in a couple of ways. A good place to start is to summarize, or rephrase, what the patient is conveying to you. If you have any clarifying questions, be sure to ask those as well. While doing this, remember to maintain a gentle and understanding tone.
This paraphrasing technique removes any question of whether you’re listening to a patient. It also helps to encourage a patient to divulge further information, which may be helpful when creating a treatment plan moving forward.
It is naturally calming to be met with understanding and genuine concern when you are angry. Although it may not be possible to resolve the issue on the spot, being an engaged listener will go a long way to improving patient satisfaction.
Identify the root cause of the problem
If you are able to identify the real reason a patient is upset, you are far more likely to be able to have a positive outcome. For example, medical errors, poor bedside manner, appointment delays, and a lack of responsiveness are a couple of common causes for patient anger.
When boiled down, these causes are all related to failures in communication. Poor communication is the main cause of unsatisfactory patient outcomes. If we are able to identify substandard communication as a major cause of patient frustration, we are then able to find a way to improve the communication experience.
Ending on a positive note is a great method for dealing with angry patients
Although not always possible, the goal should always be to end a patient conversation on a positive note. This may mean apologizing for mistakes, looking for a solution together, or asking the patient what they need from you. Summarizing next steps and what the patient can expect from you is also a helpful way to manage patient expectations for future visits.
The best part about all of these solutions is that they aren’t reliant on face-to-face interactions. Empathy, compassion, and genuine care can also be conveyed through a screen. In fact, body language can still be incredibly impactful during a video visit. As a healthcare provider, you are able to manage an unhappy patient just as effectively over the phone, via text, or during a telehealth appointment as you are in person.
There are going to be unhappy patients. What’s more important is how you manage their care. Dealing with difficult patients can be stressful, but keeping these recommendations in mind will help determine a protocol to work off of.
More tips for dealing with angry patients as a nurse
Nurses are often the first clinical staff patients see, and they play a critical role in managing patient emotions—especially when those emotions escalate into anger. Here’s how nurses can respond effectively:
Listen for what’s not being said
- Pay attention to nonverbal cues that suggest pain, fear, or confusion.
- Use reflective listening to surface unspoken concerns, especially around treatment.
Validate and redirect
- Acknowledge frustration without agreeing or assigning blame: “It’s completely valid to feel this way—let’s talk about what we can do next.”
- Gently shift the conversation toward actionable solutions, like symptom relief or bringing in another provider.
Lean on clinical authority when needed
- Calmly explain clinical decisions or protocols while reinforcing that the patient’s comfort matters.
- Offer to page a provider when you’ve reached your scope of practice.
Tips for dealing with angry patients as a receptionist
Receptionists are often the first line of defense—and the first target—when a patient is upset. Managing this gracefully takes both patience and practice.
Keep your tone warm, even when theirs isn’t
- Greet patients with a calm, friendly tone even if they’re short with you.
- Avoid mirroring frustration; instead, serve as a stabilizing presence.
Defuse with facts and boundaries
- If a patient is upset about scheduling, calmly explain availability and options.
- If anger escalates, let them know you’re bringing in a supervisor or nurse: “Let me get someone who can help you right away.”
Don’t take it personally
- Remember the frustration is rarely about you—it’s about pain, wait times, or fear.
- Debrief with a manager after difficult interactions to reset.
Tips for dealing with angry patients as a practice manager
Practice managers are often the ones who step in when front-line staff need support. Their role is to de-escalate, troubleshoot, and set expectations clearly.
Act quickly and professionally
- Don’t let front desk or nursing staff take the full brunt of a patient’s anger—step in early when needed.
- Acknowledge the concern and shift the focus to resolution.
Mediate with authority
- Explain policies and next steps clearly, without sounding defensive or dismissive.
- Offer tangible solutions or timeframes to resolve complaints.
Support your staff afterward
- Reassure the team that their safety and well-being come first.
- Use tense moments as coaching opportunities, not blame.
Tips for dealing with angry patients as a provider
Providers are often seen as the final stop for patient concerns—whether or not they were involved in the initial issue. It’s important to reestablish trust without undermining the care team.
Take responsibility where appropriate
- If a delay or miscommunication occurred, acknowledge it directly: “I’m sorry this happened. Here’s what I’d like to do to make it right.”
Re-center the conversation on care
- Shift focus back to the patient’s health needs and how you can help them feel better today.
- Clarify any confusion about treatment plans or next steps.
Avoid rushing the interaction
- Giving the patient your full attention—even for just a few minutes—can have a lasting calming effect.
- Use open-ended questions to explore their concerns more fully.
Tips for dealing with angry patients as a billing or insurance coordinator
Anger around billing is often tied to misunderstanding, surprise charges, or insurance denials. Billing staff can defuse tensions with empathy and clarity.
Lead with clarity, not jargon
- Use plain language to explain charges, copays, and insurance responses.
- Avoid making assumptions about what the patient knows.
Acknowledge financial stress
- Show empathy: “I understand this is a lot to take in—let’s look at the breakdown together.”
- Offer payment plans or alternatives if available.
Be transparent about next steps
- If follow-up with insurance is needed, explain what you’ll do and how long it may take.
- Provide printed or emailed summaries to avoid repeat confusion.
Final thoughts on handling angry patients
Dealing with angry patients is never easy, but it’s a critical part of delivering compassionate, high-quality care. Every role in a healthcare practice—from nurses to front desk staff to providers—has a part to play in de-escalating tension and turning negative experiences into opportunities for trust-building.
The key is to stay calm, communicate clearly, and always center the patient’s concerns. When handled with empathy and professionalism, even the most difficult interactions can end with a stronger patient relationship—and a more resilient care team.
By equipping every staff member with practical strategies tailored to their role, practices can create a more supportive environment for both patients and employees.
Improving patient communication is one text away
See why over 50,000 clinicians choose OhMD for patient texting
