As a physician, I believe strongly that the doctor-patient relationship is the foundation of good health care. In fact, it will become more important as health consumers begin to have more knowledge and control of their health (with Lumenos plan consumers being in the forefront of this movement).
However, if you’re like many health consumers, you may have felt that you don’t always get to spend enough time with your doctor. If so, you’re not alone, according to a new report.
A study led by Dr. Ming Tai-Seale of the Texas A&M Health Science Center found that patients often don’t have time to get sufficient answers to their questions when they visit their physicians.
The report, published in Health Services Research, reviewed videotapes of 400 doctor visits by patients age 65 and older. The median time for the visits was 16 minutes and during that time the patients brought up an average of six topics to discuss. Typically, the physician spent several minutes on the most complex topic, with as little as one minute on the others.
Why? Because doctors are often under tremendous time pressure to get to as many patients as possible. They can either take time away from the next patient, or limit their discussions with each patient to only the most pressing issue. Clearly, most physicians choose the latter course of action.
What can you do as a health care consumer to make the most of your visit? Take advantage of tools like those on the Lumenos online health site to prepare for each visit ahead of time. Know which key questions you really need answered. You’ll be helping yourself and your physician.
Dr.Mike
