What does trust mean to a patient?

I have been working on this essay for some time now. It has been difficult for me to convey in words this complex issue of physician-patient relationships that, to me, is the crux of the art of medicine. The first time I met Rachel was when she showed up at my office with Mary, her closest friend for her first prenatal exam. When a year later, I walked into my office to find Rachel sitting there, I did a double take. “Where have I seen you before?” I asked after introducing myself. And before she answered, I responded, “Oh, wait, you’re Mary’s friend.” I was happy she remembered me and came to see me for her own pregnancy. Rachel was also pleased I remembered her despite meeting so long ago. We fell into an easy rapport as we discussed her pregnancy, how she was feeling, her health history and then an exam and ultrasound. Because it is standard practice to test a patient’s urine for a bladder infection at the first prenatal visit, I sent her urine to the lab. A couple of days later, I called Rachel about her bladder infection and sent an antibiotic prescription to her pharmacy. At her next visit, I just assumed she took the antibiotics, but when I checked her urine again, it looked like the infection was still there. “Did you take the antibiotics?” “Oh … No … No, I didn’t. I felt fine and didn’t think I needed them.“ This prompted me to begin a mini lecture about untreated bladder infections becoming kidney infections and other serious risks in p...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Infectious Disease OB/GYN Primary Care Source Type: blogs