Management of problem patients with multiple chronic diseases.
Residents in a university-based family medicine program perceived patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity as problem patients. The residents' perceptions of 166 patients were compared with information from a chart audit. A resident questionnaire outlined the goals, obstacles, and strategies pertaining to management of these patients as well as residents' perceptions of patient expectations. The results prompted a shift in focus from the problem patient to the problem patient-physician relationship and brought forth improved strategies that hold potential for making a difference in patient and physician satisfaction and outcome of care.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003376:Counseling; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology