How engaging patients improves health outcomes

The woman in the examining room was suffering from several chronic conditions that she and her primary care doctor had difficultly managing. The doctor thought these illnesses should be under control and wanted to get to the core of the problem. So during a follow-up visit, they just talked. Over the next 30 minutes—a visit duration unheard of in most medical practices—the patient opened up.

“I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told anyone, even my husband,” the woman confided.