What do you expect from a doctor? six habits for healthier patient encounters

Abstract

Expectations lie at the heart of America's health care crisis. Although doctors cannot control for the unrealistic demands of a consumer-centric society, we might ask what we would want in a physician. Someone who listens longer and lets us express ourselves in our own words? Someone who cares about the out-come-our personal outcome-and not just the "clinical course"? Most patients do not demand perfection. Not cure. Not even relief, no matter what the TV commercials promise or how badly they wish them to be true. What we all desire is a plan that connects us to another human being-our doctor-which is a kind of relief all its own. The author identifies 6 simple habits that will lead to healthier, happier encounters with patients and their illness.