Docs Need to Rethink How They Plan for Patient Visits

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Source: MedPage Today

Original: https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/patientcenteredmedicalhome/120441...

Published: Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:34:42 -0400

Physicians should rethink how they schedule patient visits. Visits usually begin with the question "What brings you here today?", whether in inpatient or outpatient settings. The author remembers visiting the first patient with a senior citizen. Patient-to-doctor communication is key to understanding the details of symptoms and complaints. This history provides the context for appropriate testing and an accurate diagnosis. Without context, the tests become as imprecise as firing a scrap rifle instead of a targeted hit. Physicians provide context back to patients for test results, the diagnosis, and its meaning in the context of the patient.