Factors affecting the patient

Think about all the times you’ve gone to see healthcare providers in your life. Every experience was probably slightly different. Maybe you have a primary care physician who is caring and humorous, takes the time to explain health issues to you, and even allows you to email him if you have questions. On the other hand, maybe you have a nurse practitioner who rushes through your appointment, rarely remembers your name, and is not up-to-date with the latest clinical standards for her practice. Just as there are many types of healthcare providers with different skills and personalities, there are also many different types of patients. Patient-centered health communication requires an understanding that patients encounter and enter into the healthcare system from a variety of walks of life. We cannot assume a one-size-fits-all approach to patient-provider communication because it may lead not only to poor healthcare experiences but also to poor health outcomes!.