| Doctors that don't listen A doctor’s ability to listen, empathize and teach makes a profound difference in the quality of care. Unfortunately, surveys increasingly find most patients are discharged without even knowing their diagnosis. More than half the time patients misunderstood directions after a visit to their doctor. Under increased pressure to meet production goals, doctors on average, wait less than thirty seconds before interrupting patients attempting to explain their problem. Poor patient doctor communication has negative consequences. Studies often show that communication failure (rather than a provider’s skills) implicated in over 70% of serious adverse health outcomes. Making matters worse, patients increasingly find themselves discounted, criticized, and blamed, but rarely treated as a partner in their care. Getting quality medical service will increasingly require selecting a doctor that offers a more personalized service. For a fee, seniors can contract with a personal care/concierge doctor that offers prompt access, adequate time for appointments, options for calling them directly, time to make good medical decisions, and advocacy when seeking care beyond the primary care doctor’s office. In Huntsville, Alabama, many view the opportunity to obtain personal care as a positive since it provides their doctor time to listen, make the best medical decisions and teach them what they need to know rather than 5-7 minute appointments where healthcare needs get kicked down the road. By providing adequate appointment time and care, this new type of personal care doctor helps keep their patients maintain the best quality of life, stay out of the hospital and avoid unnecessary procedures. Tell Me More about Concierge Physicians in Huntsville, Alabama. Exit |