Patient Actions Improving Doctor Relationships

Earlier this month, I gave a presentation to about 65 residents and other doctors on “Roles in Patient-Doctor Relationships: Seeing Both Sides.”

This is the fifth post:

• • • Doctors’ Roles and Responsibilities (including doctor morale)
    • Patients’ Roles and Responsibilities (and what doctors wish patients knew)
    • Stages of Patient Frustration and Satisfaction
    • Doctor Actions Improving Patient Relationships
    • Patient Actions Improving Doctor Relationships
    • We’re Not There Yet on Doctor-Patient Relationships

In the doctor-patient relationship, what can patients do to enhance communications? After all, it is not all on the doctor to make the relationship work.

Check out the chart below, and these highlights from the chart:

Patients need to see doctors regularly. And not wait until it is too late. Early diagnosis is a big plus for continued good health.

Patients must always be truthful. Also, they always should come prepared (such as having a list of the prescriptions taken).

Patients should not ask for harmful medications.

Patients need to thoroughly understand treatment options and make informed decisions.