ABSTRACT
Contrast a visit with Dr. Welby with what frequently happens in a primary care visit today. Your doctor is likely to be in a hurry: New interns spend an average of 8 minutes per patient and standard doctor visits are generally 15 minutes each, perhaps a bit longer if the visit is for an annual exam.1,2 Your doctor may interrupt you, as, on average, doctors interrupt patients after 18 seconds of conversation, making it hard for the patient to tell a coherent story or maintain a train of thought.2 Even if you are seeing your designated primary care physician (PCP), it can feel impersonal. You may have been anticipating a visit, made heroic efforts to get to the clinic for the appointment on time, or have deeply researched your condition and symptoms, only to feel frustrated and disappointed by the lack of time to explore all of your health concerns, have a real conversation, or get to more complex issues during your visit. These constraints make it difficult to build a trusting relationship with your doctor.
