Question

The typical relationship of patient to physician used to be one of deference to a more knowledgeable authority. Why is it now critically important for patients take a more proactive role in their medical care?

Answer 1

Patient–physician relationships are an important factor in patients taking a more active role in their health and health care. Efforts to increase activation that focus only on individual patients ignore the important fact that the nature of roles and relationships between provider and patient can shape the behaviors and attitudes of patients in ways that support or discourage patient activation.Higher perceived quality of interpersonal exchange with physicians, greater fairness in the treatment process, and more out-of-office contact with physicians were associated with higher levels of patient activation. Treatment goal setting was not significantly associated with patient activation.Cross-sectional, multivariate analysis of the relationship between dimensions of patient–physician role relationships and level of patient activation. The study controlled for variables related to patient demographics, socioeconomic status, health status, and market and family context.Many patients have traditionally assumed a passive role toward physicians and their own care, reflecting general social norms governing professional-client relations, as well as status differences that occur between well-educated, high-status individuals such as physicians, and lower-status members such as racial or ethnic minorities. Because most patients heed their physician's direct or subtle prompts about their role in the care process.Patient activation occurs when individuals believe they have an important role in their health and health care and have the knowledge, skills, confidence, and emotional commitment to perform this role.