Doctors are required to have a unique blend of skills. They need to understand and be able to recall a lot of technical, detailed medical information. This requires years of schooling and ongoing training.
But they also need to have good people skills. And as you can imagine, some doctors are much better in one area than the other.
Those who rise to the top of the field may do so because of their keen insight in determining the cause of various symptoms. Others are precise and careful surgeons.
But not all of these top doctors are able to combine these talents with a great bedside manner.
Doctors like this are certainly valuable to the medical field. They contribute great work and save lives. But if you don’t connect with your doctor, he may not be able to save your life – even if he’s an expert in your condition. This is simply human nature.
The truth is, if we don’t like our doctors, we’re less likely to listen to them. We might seek out information elsewhere, even if it’s incorrect or not in our best interests. We might simply ignore the advice the doctors give. Or we might stop visiting them altogether.
As you can imagine, this doesn’t bode well for recovery or disease management. Patients who like their doctors tend to fare far better than those who don’t.
In fact, one review study conducted by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital looked at 13 studies and found that the more people like their doctors, the healthier they tend to be. Here’s why:
These studies found that when the doctors had been trained in “relationship-based strategies,” which include making eye contact, listening well, and helping patients set goals, their patients experienced a variety of benefits compared to those in control groups. These benefits included lower blood pressure, increased weight loss, reduced pain, and improved glucose management.
If you trust and respect your doctor, you’re more likely to follow his or her advice. You’re also more likely to develop a rapport that allows you to give and receive feedback and ask questions.
If you don’t feel like you have this relationship with your doctor, it’s worth looking elsewhere for a new one – even if the one you’re working with is considered the “expert” on your condition.
Yours for better health,
Frank Shallenberger, MD