Saturday, July 05, 2014

What do patients want from their doctor ?


What do patients from their doctors ?

They want doctors to be:

  • Available
  • Affordable
  • Accessible
  • Polite
  • Respectful
  • Competent
  • Careful
It seems to be a long list !
What do doctors want from patients ?

  • Respect
  • Compliance
  • Trust
  • Understanding  ( when things don’t go well)
  • Forgiveness ( when they make errors)
  • Payment ( on time, for their hard work)

The list is equally long !

Perhaps this is the reason why there is so much tension between doctors and patients today - because they expect too much from each other  !

Actually, we can simplify matters considerably

Doctors and patients want and need only one thing from each other – Trust

Patients want doctors whom they can trust. They should be able to trust that their doctor will
  • Give them the correct medical advise; 
  • Be technically competent;
  • Not do unnecessary tests or surgery;
  • Not overcharge them;
  • Not hide the truth from them;
  • Refer them to a specialist, if needed;
  • Be there to held their hand in their time of need

Similarly, doctors want patients who trust them. They want patients who
  • Appreciate them for the hard work and effort they put in
  • Follow their advise
  • Pay their bills on time
  • Do not try to second guess them
  • Respect them

The missing ingredient in today’s healthcare system is trust. Patients don’t trust doctors; doctors don’t trust their patients; customers don’t trust health insurers; and no one trusts the healthcare services the government provides !

How can we bring this trust back ?

The good news is that most people still look up to doctors.   They are highly regarded - which is why so many people want their children to become doctors !

The answer is simple – and easy. We need Information Therapy . The right information for the right person at the right time is powerful medicine, and encourages openness and transparency !







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