Helping Patients Take Responsibility for Their Own Health

Editorials3 July 2001Helping Patients Take Responsibility for Their Own HealthAndrew Herxheimer, MB, FRCPAndrew Herxheimer, MB, FRCPDr. Herxheimer: United Kingdom Cochrane Centre; Oxford OX2 7LG, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-135-1-200107030-00013 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Patients consult a physician when they feel that a symptom requires expert assessment and advice. With a new problem, the physician generally makes the diagnosis, perhaps suggests some investigation, offers a treatment plan, and, it is hoped, explains it all to the patient. With an existing or a recurrent problem, the patient often already knows the diagnosis, may understand what investigation is needed, and has experience with the treatment. Therefore, he or she may not need to visit the physician—although professional confirmation and empathy may be welcome. Physicians practicing patient-centered medicine recognize such learning (1) and should encourage patients who ...References1. Laine C, Davidoff F. Patient-centered medicine. A professional evolution. JAMA. 1996;275:152-6. [PMID: 8531314] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Gupta K, Hooton TM, Roberts PL, Stamm WE. Patient-initiated treatment of uncomplicated recurrent urinary tract infections in young women. Ann Intern Med. 2001;135:9-16. LinkGoogle Scholar3. Wong ES, McKevitt M, Running K, Counts GW, Turck M, Stamm WE. Management of recurrent urinary tract infections with patient-administered single-dose therapy. Ann Intern Med. 1985;102:302-7. [PMID: 3871597] LinkGoogle Scholar4. Barry CA, Bradley CP, Britten N, Stevenson FA, Barber N. Patients' unvoiced agendas in general practice consultations: qualitative study. BMJ. 2000;320:1246-50. [PMID: 10797036] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Balint M. The doctor's responsibility.. In: Balint M, Balint E, eds. Psychotherapeutic Techniques in Medicine. London: Tavistock Publications; 1961:104-6. Google Scholar6. Chalmers I. What do I want from health research and researchers when I am a patient? BMJ. 1995;310:1315-8. [PMID: 7773050] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. Entwistle V, Renfrew MJ, Yearley S, Forrester J, Lamont T. Lay perspectives: advantages for health research. BMJ. 1998;316:463-6. [PMID: 9492683] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. Herxheimer A, McPherson A, Miller R, Shepperd S, Yaphe J, Ziebland S. Database of patients' experiences (DIPEx): a multi-media approach to sharing experiences and information. Lancet. 2000;355:1540-3. [PMID: 10801187] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Dr. Herxheimer: United Kingdom Cochrane Centre; Oxford OX2 7LG, United KingdomCurrent Author Address: Andrew Herxheimer, MB, FRCP, 9 Park Crescent, London N3 2NL, United Kingdom; e-mail, [email protected]com. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoPatient-Initiated Treatment of Uncomplicated Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Young Women Kalpana Gupta , Thomas M. Hooton , Pacita L. Roberts , and Walter E. Stamm Metrics Cited byPutting the public back into public health. Part II. How can public health be accountable to the public?Alternative treatment modalities for prevention of urinary tract infection in women: Lactobacilli or cranberry juice? 3 July 2001Volume 135, Issue 1Page: 51-52KeywordsAsthmaDatabasesHypertensionMigraineNursesProstate cancerPsychologistsSickle cell diseaseUrine ePublished: 3 July 2001 Issue Published: 3 July 2001 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2001 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...