I have been writing this book for almost 2 years now, I could use your help on some points. It is regarding improving communication between doctors and patients, I am hoping to get a publisher by end of this year, want to be sure I have everything covered, please give me your input on ways doctors and patients can improve communication, any stories would be greatly appreciated. thanks

Unfortunatly, most doctors work for large groups.  There are few in private practice.  Because of this they are concerned with getting their points for visits.  The standard 15 min appt is not enough time for some patients and they don't know to ask for an extended appt when they book it.  They then come in with a list of problems which turn the doctor off.  If they spend the extra time with them their whole day is backed up.  Which causes frustration for many people, or they ask the patient to make another appt to address some of the other issues, which frustrates the patient because they have to wait for another appt, take a day off from work and pay another co-pay.  Scheduling doctors time is a problem.

I have a doctor that I really love.  I don't know how I was blessed with her but I'm glad to have her.  What makes her so wonderful is that she takes the time to go over everything, not just what is bothering me at the time.  When she walks out of the room I feel like a personal friend, not a patient.  She, I think, really cares about those who call on her for help.  She will go over past visits and ask how those things worked out, which I love.  With all that we cover in one visit, my time in the room with her is about twenty minutes on norm.  We have had some that were fifteen minutes but not because it was a rush.  Thats just all the time that I needed.  I think that good visits have a lot to do with the doctors personality.  Also I do think that making a short list about things that may be related to the problem is a great idea.

Wow! What a great topic for a book! Let me know when it comes out because I will be one of the first people to buy it.

Unfortunately, I have been struggling with a chronic condition for a couple of years now, and I have seen firsthand how doctors interact with patients. I have seen many wonderful docs who were very caring and took the time to answer all my questions and concerns no matter how long it took them, even if they were behind schedule. It was doctors like these that influenced me to go into the medical world because they modeled for me the love that they have for helping people in their time of need. 

I had one doc in particular who was like this. He had what I call the "2 C's." He was competent and compassionate. He really took the time to address all my concerns and put my mind at ease. He did this both when I saw him in the office and when I was in pre-op right before procedures. Even during the procedures, he frequently asked me how I was doing and if I was hanging in there (I had to stay awake during these procedures). This doc moved his practice last year to a different city, and I still have yet to find another doc to replace him. Docs like him are truly rare gems. Thank G-d, my condition is stable right now, and I don't need the intense intervention that he offered. 

With that being said, I have had to deal with docs who were the far opposite extreme. I don't want to go into these experiences, but I do want to say that I read a statistic somewhere (don't remember where) that most docs will only wait five seconds before interrupting a patient. 

My best wishes for getting a publisher for your book!!!

 Hello anyone home, need more input here please...