How patients can help us be even better doctors - educational leaflet "Before I go to the doctor".

Background: Medical psychology research shows that how a patient communicates appears to be the strongest predictor of physician behavior during a consultation and that patient's activity also influences how much information a physician communicates to a patient about his or her illness and treatment. Thus, being a patient is a skill that needs to be developed to balance the responsibilities of doctors and patients in each of their encounters. There is a lack of clear recommendations and education in this area, and patients' behaviour is instead governed by the etiquette of courtesy.