Virtual Mentor. April 2003, Volume 5, Number 4.

April 2003 Contents

The Difficult Patient-Physician Relationship

Ethics Poll

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising is widespread in both print and broadcast media. Some suggest that DTC advertising allows the consumer to be better informed and improves communication between patient and physician. Skeptics suggest that DTC may erode the physician autonomy, lead to inappropriate prescribing, and waste time in physician office visits.

Do you think that DTC marketing provides consumers of health care services with accurate, meaningful information?

  • Yes 15%
  • No 85%

From the Editor

The Difficult Patient-Physician Relationship
Audiey Kao
Full Text

Educating for Professionalism

Clinical Cases

The Patient-Parent-Physician Relationship
Commentary by Art Elster and Patrick Staunton
Full Text

When a Nonadherent Patient Needs Your Care
Commentary by David A. Bennahum
Full Text

Never Symptom-Free
Commentary by Griffin Trotter
Full Text

When Disability Is in Question
Commentary by Guy Micco
Full Text

Journal Discussion

Physicians' Responsibilities in the Face of Patients' Irrational Decisions
Faith Lagay
Full Text

Who Is Being Difficult? Addressing the Determinants of Difficult Patient-Physician Relationships
Michelle Lim
Full Text

Clinical Pearl

Wilson's Disease--Diagnosis and Treatment
Audiey Kao
Full Text

Law, Policy, and Society

Health Law

Can Patients Contribute to Medical Negligence?
Lisa Panique
Full Text

Policy Forum

A Responsible Patient
Swathi Arekapudi
Full Text

History, Art, and Narrative

Medical Humanities

Midnight Encounters
Gary Fontan
Full Text

Resources

About the Contributors
Full Text