I went to Patient First for a pre-employment physical earlier this week. I expected to get the physical done, get the paperwork filled out, and to carry on with my day. However, the discharge slips ruined everything.

In addition to the fact that it wasn't covered by my insurance (which I was already ticked off about), I received a slip before leaving about how my BMI is high and I need to lose weight. Yeah, okay, that's fine. I probably do need to lose weight. That's not the problem here.

The doctor who performed my physical didn't even mention my weight, and I've been told that my weight is fine. He just didn't even mention it. It's protocol for Patient First to make sure their patients know that they (might) be unhealthy because they are overweight. I don't support that.

It might seem that I'm overreacting. Honestly, I'm fine with a doctor telling me to lose weight. I love sweets, and I know that's why my weight went up. That's fine.

Still, I deserve more than a little piece of paper telling me that my BMI is too high and I need to make changes. It's passive-aggressive and, honestly, dangerous. What can a little piece of paper tell me about how I need to change my lifestyle? What about people who need extra guidance with weight loss? It's not that simple.

Clinics like Patient First need to understand that weight loss isn't as simple as giving instructions on a piece of paper. For some people, it's very upsetting because doctors tell them every time they go that they need to lose weight. It's not as simple as telling someone to lose weight. Yes, I appreciate that it told me to follow up with my doctor. But why not talk to me now about my weight? Why not ask me if I had questions? It seems lazy and ineffective. No one really reads these slips anyway.

As a person with depression, seeing passive-aggressive slips about my weight is upsetting. Yes, I can lose weight, but it's not urgent (yes, I was told this by a doctor). I am fine the way I am for now. I don't need a computer telling me I'm not. With mistrust of doctors at an all-time high, why trust a piece of paper?

I am only slightly overweight by BMI standards. This is why I do not say that I am being "fat-shamed." However, this is a real phenomenon and I've seen it happen to many of my friends. They go to the doctor for a minor issue and end up getting lectured about how they need to lose weight. Then, guess what? They avoid the doctor.

I am a future doctor and am ready to fight this cycle. It's not good for patients, and it's not good for doctors either. Minimalist care won't get us anywhere.