Found this info

Dr Briffa blogged about it here:

http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/09/13/doct ... -patients/

The full name of the study is given in his references, but alas no link. It might be in pubmed?

Thanks for the link phoenix. :thumbup:

hanadr said:

I came upon this in the Sunday Times Style magazine and have ried to track the original study. I've got several references to it, but not the original yet.
Patients of doctors who are more empathic have better outcomes and fewer complications, concludes a large, empirical study by a team of Thomas Jefferson University and Italian researchers who evaluated relationships between physician empathy and clinical outcomes among 20,961 diabetic patients and 242 physicians in Italy.

If anyone finds it please post the address.
I'm not at all surprised by this finding.
Hana

Click to expand...

I can 100% concur with this. I have an extremely supportive GP who whilst rolling his eyes at the madcap idea's I have supports me every step of the way. Because of that, my lovely family and this forum, I am to all intents and purposes non diabetic (so long as I don't try eating cakes or fries, or white bread etc :lol: ). I realized I was very, very lucky not long after I joined this forum, as I read all the negative stories about GP's, DSN and other HCP. I think a support system is vital for a diabetic, especially early on as we get to grips with things and find our dietary niche. I wouldn't be where I am today without a very positive support system behind me.

I came across an article on that study at the weekend. It stated that patients with diabetes who had an empathetic doctor suffered 30% less complications. That is a sobering thought. From my own experience I know it is impossible to get anywhere with a doctor who sees you as just a medical file. God forbid you should have an emotional response to your health issues. "Just the facts M'am"! They have facts and theories, we have reality and a psychological/emotional process that varies widely from patient to patient.

We are the caretakers of our own bodies. If we are unhappy with any doctor for any reason we owe it to ourselves to demand better.

I could go on for several pages as this is a subject that has driven me to the verge of my patience since I was diagnosed 27 years ago. There are many compassionate empathetic doctors but they seem to be vastly outnumbered by the emotionless robot variety.

Here's to change!