http://www.healthcare-blog.com/2008/doctor-and-patient-now-at-odds/ Consumer Directed Healthcare News, Health Advice, and Industry Opinions Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:53:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://www.healthcare-blog.com/2008/doctor-and-patient-now-at-odds/#comment-40630 Brooke Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:06:37 +0000 http://www.healthcare-blog.com/?p=136#comment-40630 Tara’s article is accurate when she talks about the changing relationship between the doctor and patient. The Veteran generation has such respect for their physician and would do anything they are told. My own grandma listens to the decisions being made for her by her physician without questions. The next generation, Baby Boomers are less trusting and less respectful and have access to online medical information. As a speaker, I refer to the Boomers as PWP (patients with papers) meaning we show up in the doctor’s office with our own homework in tow and a few questions we have prepared ahead of time. I co-own Perception Strategies, Inc. the largest healthcare mystery shopping company and after ten years, thousands of reports, it seems to come down to communication. As consumers we want to be communicated with in a respectful way. I left my OB/GYN after a five year relationship that included surgery with this physician because she spoke to me like I was in grade school. An example of this is when I asked for blood tests to find out my cholesterol and glucose levels only to receive a call from her nurse reporting, “Everything looks good.” I asked what good meant and requested that she fax me a report for my own health records. My internist takes the time to sit with me and talk to me before my yearly exam. We are on a first name basis and she provides a valuable service to me by allowing me to access her knowledge and ask questions while we work together on maintaining my health. As our attitudes change about our healthcare providers it would behoove medical schools to take the time to study consumer perceptions and how to work with the patient of the future. Tara’s article is accurate when she talks about the changing relationship between the doctor and patient. The Veteran generation has such respect for their physician and would do anything they are told. My own grandma listens to the decisions being made for her by her physician without questions. The next generation, Baby Boomers are less trusting and less respectful and have access to online medical information. As a speaker, I refer to the Boomers as PWP (patients with papers) meaning we show up in the doctor’s office with our own homework in tow and a few questions we have prepared ahead of time.
I co-own Perception Strategies, Inc. the largest healthcare mystery shopping company and after ten years, thousands of reports, it seems to come down to communication. As consumers we want to be communicated with in a respectful way. I left my OB/GYN after a five year relationship that included surgery with this physician because she spoke to me like I was in grade school. An example of this is when I asked for blood tests to find out my cholesterol and glucose levels only to receive a call from her nurse reporting, “Everything looks good.” I asked what good meant and requested that she fax me a report for my own health records. My internist takes the time to sit with me and talk to me before my yearly exam. We are on a first name basis and she provides a valuable service to me by allowing me to access her knowledge and ask questions while we work together on maintaining my health.
As our attitudes change about our healthcare providers it would behoove medical schools to take the time to study consumer perceptions and how to work with the patient of the future.

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