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medpundit |
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Monday, August 19, 2002In the examination room, companions helped facilitate better doctor-patient communication, helped the patient to remember the physician's advice and instructions, helped the patient make decisions and expressed their own concerns to the physician. In fact, according to patients, their companions favorably influenced three out of four of their medical visits, particularly by helping them better communicate with their doctor, the authors note. Doctors also agreed that their patients' companions were an asset during the medical visits, the researchers report. Six out of every 10 physicians said that the patients' companions helped them better understand their patients, and 46% said the companions helped increase the patient's own understanding. That's true up to a point. I would add, however, that an unwanted companion in the exam room does far more harm than good. Many's the time I've entered a room to find a spouse in the corner chair and the patient sitting sullenly on the table, arms crossed, and decidedly uncommunicative. At a later date, when he returns, alone, for a follow-up visit, he's generally more relaxed and forthcoming. It's only then that we get at the true heart of the matter, and invariably the patient will admit that he was angry at his spouse during the initial visit for highjacking his appointment. (I use the generic "he". Spouses of both sexes are equally culpable.) posted by Sydney on 8/19/2002 07:55:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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