Unmet expectations: Doctors, patients give each other mixed reviews

A new Consumer Reports survey shows that they disagree on key issues and offers suggestions on how to improve the relationship.

By Damon Adams, AMNews staff. Jan. 29, 2007.

Patients gripe that doctors keep them waiting for 30 minutes or more and don't spend enough time in the exam room. Doctors grumble that patients don't follow treatment and request unnecessary tests and prescriptions.

That's the word from a nationwide survey of 39,090 patients and 335 primary care physicians in the February Consumer Reports. The magazine best known for rating new cars and other products scrutinized the patient encounter, then used its findings to recommend ways to improve the doctor-patient relationship.

Based on the results, Consumer Reports told patients to bring limited and credible health information from the Internet to the doctor, prepare a short list of questions, speak frankly about symptoms, follow doctor order, and change physicians if unsatisfied.

The article also detailed differing perspectives of doctors and patients on drug ads, Internet information and adherence to treatment plans. For example, nearly all patients said they completely or mostly obeyed doctor's orders, but 59% of physicians said their patients often failed to stick to treatment plans.

The magazine admits that its survey of subscribers might not be representative of the population. Physicians agree but see the report as an opportunity to discuss what is right and wrong with the doctor-patient relationship and explore ways to make it a better union.

Scrape away the griping and grumbling and one thing is clear, physician leaders said. Better communication is essential to improve the doctor-patient relationship.