It’s good to share bucket lists with your GP, says research

 Discuss a bucket list with your GP to live a longer and healthier life, a new Stanford University study suggests.

According to new research, doctors who know what patients want to do with their lives are better placed to provide a more personalised care plan and help them to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

For example, if patients are stressed because a coming operation clashes with a planned trip, the surgery could be postponed without any adverse effect. Or, if a patient has to cut down on certain foods, their doctor may be able to set targets so they can still enjoy an occasional treat.

The study surveyed 3,056 patients across the US and found nine out of 10 had made a list of things they still want to do. Religious and older patients were more likely to have a list. Patients under 26 tended to have more “crazy things” such as skydiving listed.

The study was published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine.