Why physicians are losing ground as primary care providers
Article Abstract:
The reasons why many individuals feel dissatisfied with traditional medical practice and seek alternative forms of health care are explored. When a conventional physician loses a patient to another clinician's practice, he/she often feels dismay and is unable to imagine why the patient left the practice. The characteristic attitude of physicians is to give orders to patients; typically, physicians do not recommend, explain or discuss treatment plans. However, they must be warned that if patients takes exception to this attitude, they may seek other health care providers, such as alternative medicine physicians, homeopaths, chiropractors, acupuncturists, naturopaths and faith healers. Today's patients want 1990's style diagnostic competence as well as the attentive, caring attitude of a 1920's family physician. Chiropractors and other clinicians have long been aware of the importance of hands-on personal care, and even utilize this failing of modern medical practice as means of practice building. Chiropractors seek patients who leave traditional medical practices because of poor patient-physician communication, and who view conventional medicine as a business, not a healing profession. The development of medical technology and increasing medical specialization have exacerbated the feelings of emotional distance that many patients feel. The use of laboratory tests and medical imaging (e.g., CAT scans and MRI) to diagnose problems without physically touching and examining patients is cited as an area of concern. Patients ask, ''How can you diagnose a problem with my shoulder if you never touched it?'' In short, patients often feel that the disease is being treated, not them. In addition to caring for their patients' health problems, chiropractors take an increased interest in their patients as people. Some chiropractors send out congratulation cards for graduations, birthdays and other special events; participate in community events (e.g., March of Dimes Walk America); make phone calls and house calls. In dealing openly and directly with the financial side of medicine and the problems of making insurance claims, alternative medical providers often support patients in areas where conventional physicians are neglectful. The choice to physicians is clear: understand that health care alternatives are available, and either adequately care for the needs of patients or lose them to other health care providers. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Chiropractic
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0744-9984
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Physicians need to improve their relationship, image with their patients
Article Abstract:
Conventional medical practice has undergone massive changes in recent years. For the most part, there have been enormous gains in physician knowledge, and the technical means of making diagnoses and treating disease. However, the increasing complexity and use of technology have caused patients to feel isolated and abandoned. Simultaneously, there has been increasing competition in the marketplace for the provision of health care services. Growing financial restraint, caused in part by governmental and insurance company fee restrictions, has led physicians to become more conscious of both costs and their time. There is an increasing awareness that patients feel estranged, and the prestige of physicians is at its lowest level ever. Perceptual differences have contributed to this situation; physicians often assume that their patients' regard is based on proper medical performance, but patients are generally unable to know when they are receiving appropriate medical care. Patients judge physician competence on issues they know and understand: the quality of the one-on-one interaction with the physician, the nature of the remedial action taken, and how quickly the treatment provides relief. Health care providers are beginning to understand that it is crucial patients ''feel good'' about the medical care they receive. In building a practice, it is important that the physician understand these issues and deal with patients' perceptions. Courtesy, respect and consideration are important elements in gaining patient trust. The needs of special patients, such as the elderly, must be met; similarly, the physical and informational needs of patients must be anticipated. Physicians and their staff should be comfortable with touching patients, particularly when expressing concern for their well-being. When the diagnosis is unsure, the patient should be told; patients do not expect physicians to know everything. Admission of uncertainty is important in building mutual respect, and in preventing malpractice litigation. Patients should receive clear, understandable explanations of their illnesses and treatments. In addition, involving patients in the therapeutic process is essential in increasing patient compliance. Patients should be encouraged to call physicians for further information, and should be reassured that the office is continuously available to them. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Chiropractic
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0744-9984
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Super-service for patients: the strategy for the future
Article Abstract:
An important strategy for chiropractors who desire a successful practice is to concentrate on providing ''super service'' to their patients. Service is what the public wants, coupled with increased levels of performance and high quality care that is delivered with true respect. It is important that chiropractors attend to the emotional aspects of practice as well as to the technical. The method for increasing patient satisfaction is simple - provide super service. The author cautions chiropractors to remember that there are alternatives to the care they provide, and that patients will spend their money where they receive sensitive, efficient care. Rendering care of the highest level, in a loving environment with super-service and respect, will assure the growth of a chiropractic practice. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Chiropractic
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0744-9984
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Iliac artery stenosis and occlusion: preliminary results of treatment with Gianturco expandable metallic stents
- Abstracts: Comparing outcomes of care before and after implementation of the DRG-based prospective payment system. The effects of the DRG-based prospective payment system on quality of care for hospitalized Medicare patients: an introduction to the series
- Abstracts: A simple procedure for general screening for functional disability in elderly patients. Why screen for functional disability in elderly persons?
- Abstracts: The Alabama preterm birth prevention project. Black-white differences in newborn anthropometric measurements. The length of the cervix and the risk of spontaneous premature delivery
- Abstracts: Factors affecting embryo implantation after human in vitro fertilization: a hypothesis