What Makes a Good Patient

In the search for high-quality health care, you may already know how you'd define a good doctor. Maybe it's someone who's knowledgeable and caring, or someone who is well known in a particular field. Perhaps it's a person who spends a lot of time talking to you during your office visit.

Have you thought about what it means to be a good patient? Because many Americans are more educated about their health than ever before, and doctor visits are at an all-time high, knowing what it means to be a good patient can help you make the most of your health care.

This is especially true as more and more Americans are enrolled in consumer-directed health plans, such as medical savings accounts. These plans place more responsibility for health care decisions on the consumer.

"In the old days, being a good patient meant blindly following the doctor's orders," says Donald W. Orth, M.D., American College of Cardiology fellow and head of a large cardiology practice in southern New Jersey. These days, many doctors expect a more proactive approach on the part of their patients. "We hope for patients who ask questions, try to understand their illness, are willing to accept advice and take their medication as prescribed," Dr. Orth says.

To be a more proactive patient, Dr. Orth recommends taking these steps:

• Get health information from reliable sources, including official Web sites and national health centers. Learning about your condition can help you feel more in control and identify questions you'd like to discuss with your doctor. Avoid health information from sources such as Internet chat rooms, which can be hotbeds of rumor.

• Be prepared for office visits. Being prepared can mean anything from bringing a list of questions to discuss with your doctor to talking openly about lifestyle issues that may affect your care. Treating the relationship as a partnership for better health can often mean the difference between feeling that you've received the best treatment possible and feeling confused or dissatisfied after your visit.

• Talk openly with your doctor and let your doctor know what you want. For instance, if you want to be more active in decision-making, say so. Talk about any previous treatments you've received, including alternative or complementary care. This will help your doctor advise you more effectively.

• Seek counseling or support for difficult health care decisions. If you need to decide on a difficult treatment or procedure, your doctor can give you the facts, but professional counseling can help you address your fears and weigh the pros and cons of your health care options. Although the ultimate decision is yours, a counselor can help you sort through the factors that may be involved and provide emotional support through a difficult time.

If you're worried about being perceived as "pushy" in the doctor's office, take a step back and aim for balance. As in any relationship, sometimes the personalities involved are simply not the best fit. In this case, look for a doctor whose approach or philosophy is more in tune with your own. Making a positive change may be the best move for you and your doctor, and it's one more way to begin taking charge of your health.