The Importance of a Healthy Patient-Physician Relationship

Visiting the doctor whether you’re sick or in need of a wellness visit shouldn’t involve a lot of uncertainty. You also shouldn’t leave an appointment with more questions than you had when you arrived. These are signs of a less-than-healthy patient-physician relationship that could potentially impact your own physical or mental health.

Concierge medical practices aim to foster thriving patient-physician relationships that patients want to maintain for years. At Dupont Private Health in Washington, DC, our board-certified internist Jean Ann Beaton, MD, welcomes you to the office to explore the considerable benefits of a concierge practice membership and a strong patient-provider bond. 

A healthy patient-physician relationship should:

Meet your needs

Many physicians are overworked as they manage thousands of patient cases. On your end, this results in shorter appointments with little time to go into detail about health and wellness topics. You might only see your physician for a few minutes and communicate with other staff for the majority of your appointment. 

A situation like this can leave you feeling unsatisfied with your care at best and lacking necessary information or resources at worst. With a healthy patient-physician relationship, you leave your appointments feeling well-informed on the conditions affecting you, your health risks, and management of your health. 

Membership-only concierge practices tend to have hundreds of patients instead of thousands. With a lighter caseload, Dr. Beaton has plenty of time to spend with each patient and doesn’t cut appointments short. She provides you support and reassurance alongside helpful information, improving your likelihood of adhering to her treatments and medical advice.

Involve mutual goals

In a healthy patient-physician relationship, it feels like your physician is working just as hard as you are at meeting your health care goals. Dr. Beaton helps you set reasonable mutual goals that are within your reach and uses her problem-solving skills to find the most efficient way to reach them. 

Working as a team to meet your health goals allows Dr. Beaton to build your trust over time so you know who to turn to for any future health concerns. She gives you increasingly personalized care over time as she gets to know you, your beliefs, your lifestyle, and your personal preferences. 

Focus on preventive care

Concierge medicine practices and other health practices that foster healthy patient-physician relationships often focus on preventive care. A physician who cares about you realizes the importance of building healthy habits today to avoid illnesses, injuries, and ailments tomorrow. 

As a concierge member at Dupont Private Health, you get access to many preventive member privileges as part of your plan. Dr. Beaton provides individualized advice and helps you develop a healthier lifestyle. She also offers annual physical exams to all members and makes sure you’re up-to-date on the screenings and vaccinations you need.

If you’re interested in experiencing the benefits of a stronger patient-physician relationship for yourself, schedule an appointment over the phone or online at Dupont Private Health at your earliest convenience.