A Patient’s Strategy For Success Good Physician/Patient Communication

1. A Patient’s Strategy For Success Good Physician/Patient Communication By Russ Gould Survivor of Advanced PC and Experienced Patient Advocate Wellness Place UsTOO International Northwestern SPORE Patient Advocate

2. Improved Patient Outcomes • PC Management • The patient has the most to gain and must take charge and his own health and PC management program. • Selection of an outstanding physician is the number one priority. QOL and PC outcomes are highly dependant on the skill of the physician • Communication between the two is essential. One of the patient’s challenges is to develop skills and techniques for enhanced communication

3. Improved Patient Outcomes • Quality of Life Issues • Communication between the two is essential. One of the patient’s challenges is to develop skills for enhanced communication • There must be a significant and detailed discussion between patient and physician about side effects. • Surveys show that physicians and patients rarely discuss incontinence and erectile dysfunction. These are major QOL issues and the patient must be well informed before treatment begins

4. Patient and Physician Responsibilities Patient Responsibilities Become an empowered patient. Most doctors prefer an empowered patients. Do your homework. Understand the terminology Prepare for the doctor visit. Listen intently. Write your questions on a pad and bring it into the Seek multiple opinions. Select highly skilled doctors. Improve compliance with procedures and medication schedules. Details are critical. Keep meticulous records. (Test reports, scans, notes, etc.) Tape record doctors visits. Take a friend or family member into the doctors visits

5. Patient and Physician Responsibilities Physician’s Responsibilities Partner with the patient. Invest more time explaining details. Suggest contact with knowledgeable patient advocates. Be compassionate. Do not be pessimistic Encourage multiple opinions Provide realistic information about quality of life issues. (Incontinence, ED and other side effects) Build HOPE

6. SUMMARY Good Physician/Patient Communication • The patient is in charge of his own health and has the most to gain from improved communication with the physician. • The patient’s responsibility is to be understanding of the doctor’s time, become an empowered patient and monitor and comply with details • Some physicians need to understand that the patient needs more information. and a more compassionate delivery. Where possible, eliminate pessimistic discussions , Always attempt to build HOPE • Physicians must have realistic discussions about the effect of QOL issues like incontinence and ED to minimize false expectations