The One Dozen Most Important Things You May Not Have Known, Understood, or Realized About American Medicine
The Role of the Patient’s Family
Scenario Script
An elderly female patient is sitting on exam table in a gown. Her adult daughter is sitting in a chair. The doctor is sitting, facing them both.
Doctor: So there are a number of different treatments that we can consider here.
Patient: Like what? [Anxiously]
Doctor: Well, first of all, I was thinking that…
Daughter: [interrupts doctor] Doctor, excuse me. Can I speak to you outside for a minute?
Doctor: [looks a bit confused] Sure, I guess so...
Daughter: Mom, we’re gonna go outside, but we’ll be right back. I just want to talk to the doctor.
Patient: Okay. [slightly hesitant]
[Doctor and daughter exit the exam room and close the door. They are now facing each other in the hallway.]
Daughter: Doctor, my mother gets very anxious around doctors. So, why don't you just tell me what her diagnosis is and what the possible treatments are and then we can decide what’s best for her?
Doctor: Are you sure that that’s what she wants?
Daughter: Trust me, I know my mother.