How patients influence their doctors

I find patients are smart, intelligent and resourceful. Unfortunately, this is not a view shared by many of my colleagues, who often get irritated by patients who are well-informed and know a lot about their problem.

I guess it's a difference in world-views. My view is influenced by the fact that I learn a lot of stuff from my patients daily, so I find these interactions educational and interesting. Unusual patients give me a lot of food for thought - and material to blog about as well !

Other doctors may view their patients as just so many office visits they have to complete before going back home, and therefore find that patients who ask too many questions a nuisance. I feel sorry for them - they don't know how much they are missing !