Many patients do not like going to doctors. Many criticisms can be levied, but a common one I have encountered focuses on poor communication. Some patients feel like their concerns go unnoticed. Some feel that they do not have a say in their care. They feel like they are being thrust into a parent-child relationship, whereby strict edicts are laid down to be unquestionably followed. We here at HolSpan understand the frustration this can cause. 

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Within my practice, I like to use the following metaphor to describe the ideal doctor-patient relationship: I often compare the patient’s health to a boat.

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I instruct the patient to imagine that they own a boat. They are the ultimate captain of the boat, deciding where it goes. 

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My role as their doctor is to serve as a sage navigator. It is my job to give them the best possible advice and direction on how to guide their boat to the destination of their choosing. It is mutually beneficial to both parties to do so safely and effectively as we both have a stake in the outcome.

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The conventional approach tells you to get on board, strap in, and sit quietly while you are on board (and please try not to complain). HolSpan embraces patient-directed interventions and feedback as treatment plans are constructed to meet the patient's needs best. 

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Continuing the theme above, it is the patient’s responsibility to maintain their boat as optimally as possible. In some instances (kidney stone prevention, for example), this involves using predominantly lifestyle and foundational approaches. In other instances (like acute kidney stone attack), wise and timely use of conventional treatments is favored. 

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Shared decision-making is paramount to the HolSpan approach while attempting to have our patients navigate toward the best possible outcomes.

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Sources:

AHRQ. (n.d.). The SHARE Approach: A Model for Shared Decision Making - Fact Sheet [Online]. Available at: Link to the article