Surviving AmericanSurviving
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 health care outcomes?

In an important scientific article, K. Trevino and co-authors studied the relationship between 95 young adults with advanced cancer and their physicians.  In these young adults who were between 20 and 40 years old, having a strong relationship with the physician, which was called an “alliance”, was associated with much significantly greater adherence to medications and treatment.  Importantly, patients with a closer alliance also had better psychosocial well-being.

Better adherence to treatment is associated with improved health 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.  Putting up with a doctor with whom you have a poor or questionable relationship can be dangerous for you, since you might not follow your doctor’s advice.

Here are my tips for you:

• Find a physician with whom you can have a very strong alliance.
• If you do not have a good relationship with your physician, get a second opinion and find a physician with whom you can have a good doctor-patient relationship.
• When you have a strong relationship, make certain that you work hard to maintain it. Be compliant, and if you can’t follow the medical advice completely, discuss it with your doctor.

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

Have an alliance with your doctor.