Patients today want to be more involved in care

Some, however, still seek out physicians who will tell them what to do.

By Damon Adams, AMNews staff. Oct. 22/29, 2007.

There was a time when most patients took the passenger seat and let doctors steer the direction of care. What physicians decided, patients followed.

But that has changed as more patients seek greater access to medical information via the Internet and educate themselves about medical choices before they see their doctors.

Some patients and doctors have formed partnerships in the decision-making process, leaving behind the paternalistic approach.

Two new studies show that many patients and family members support this collaboration.

A Seattle study said 86% of parents participated in medical decisions concerning their hospitalized child. Parents who were confident communicating with physicians were more likely to participate in decision-making.

Meanwhile, an Iowa survey found that patients with similar attitudes as their physicians toward patient-doctor roles were more satisfied with care and more likely to follow treatment. Thus, patients who were involved in decisions were satisfied and followed treatment when they saw doctors who wanted them involved.

"Clearly, there are some patients who want to be empowered in that way," said Alan J. Christensen, PhD, professor in the Dept. of Internal Medicine at the University of Iowa and senior scientist at the Iowa City VA Health Care System.

Dr. Christensen and other Iowa researchers surveyed 16 primary care physicians and 146 patients at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to gauge attitudes on patient and physician roles in health care.