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American Medicine

It is logical that having a good physician with whom you have a close relationship can improve your sense of confidence in your medical care.  But does it result in improved outcomes?

In an important scientific article, K. Trevino and co-authors studied the relationship between young adults with advanced cancer and their physicians.  In 95 young adults between the ages of 20 and 40 years old, who had advanced cancer, having a strong relationship with the physician, defined as “alliance” was associated with much better psychosocial well-being and increased adherence to medications and treatment.

Better adherence to treatment is associated with improved outcomes.  It is logical to assume that those patients had better results of chemotherapy, greater remissions and longer life, although the authors did not study it.

Here are my tips for you:

• Find a physician with whom you can have a very strong alliance.
• If you do not have a strong relationship with your physician, get a second opinion and find a physician with whom you can have a good relationship.
• When you have a strong relationship, make certain that you work hard to maintain it.
  

  Find a doctor you can have a great alliance with

For more information, see my chapter on “Finding a physician” in my book “Surviving American Medicine.”