Exploring trends in the doctor-patient relationship

Jul 8 2011

News outlets report on recent developments — such as patients billing physicians for the time they spend waiting and how doctors are seeking help in dealing with difficult patients.

ABC: Could You Bill Your Doctor For Making You Wait?
Most people have been in a situation similar to Kerr's, watching the minutes slowly tick by, waiting waiting waiting for their names to be called. And some have refused to waste anymore time in waiting rooms without something to show for it, such as compensation for their time. "I think this is a fantastic idea, especially when the doctor is clearly in the wrong," said Dr. Pamela Wible, a family physician in Eugene, Ore., who gives her patients gifts of lotions or soaps if she's running more than 10 minutes late for an appointment. "This is about mutual respect. It's time to do this." Other doctors have followed the same path as Wible by offering gift cards, presents or even cold hard cash if they leave their patients waiting too long. Other offices keep patients abreast of the doctors' schedules by calling or sending text messages when running late (Conley, 7/7).

CNN: Are You Giving Your Doctor A Headache?
You might not realize it, but your doctor could be complaining about you online. He or she isn't using your name, of course, but rather descriptions such as "The Angry Patient" or "The Patient Who Knows Too Much." It's part of a physician-to-physician educational presentation titled "Managing the Difficult Patient" on QuantiaMD, which has drawn thousands of views from doctors and a good bit of ire from patients. (You must register to view, but it's free.) "If you look at their videos, they seem to want to get rid of these patients," says Sherry Reynolds, who tweeted about the "startling views" expressed in the videos (Cohen, 7/7).