[e-drug] Doctors prescribing heavily influenced by DTCA (5)

["Dr. Joseph Mulenga" <docmulengajo@zamtel.zm>]

E-DRUG: Doctors prescribing heavily influenced by DTCA (5)
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When patients go to see Doctors, they have their own thinking and
expectations. At some point, during a patient-centred consultation, as
practiced in Family Medicine, patients are asked what their
CONCERNS/EXPECTATIONS are. Patients' answers will guide the Doctor's
explanation after Clinical reasoning. As for the example of a Viral URTI,
the patient may see a Doctor either expecting an antibiotic or just a cough
mixture. The patient may think they have a serious chest infection and
therefore, expects a Chest X-ray. Without understanding the
CONCERNS/EXPECTATIONS of the patient, the explanation to the patient may not
be done and the patient will go away unsatisfied.

Dr. Joseph Mulenga
Zambia
docmulengajo@zamtel.zm