A 2004 review of medical literature conducted in the Netherlands found that patients who go to see their doctors for their back pain have very specific expectations for the appointment. They look to their doctors for information on diagnosis as well as instructions on what to do. But unfortunately, the study found, most of the time these expectations were not being met, and that new strategies need to be developed in the arena of interpersonal relations and communication, between doctors and their patients. The study also suggested that doctors did not include patients when deciding which treatments would be best for them.

Believe it or not, there is actually some progress being made in the medical industry along the lines of empathy and communication. I will cover this in future articles, so if you would like to be apprised, sign up for my newsletter. In the meanwhile, take a look at my article: Types of Back Pain Doctors.

_{Source:
Verbeek, J, Sengers, MJ, Riemens, L. Haafkens, J. "Patient expectations of treatment for back pain: a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies. Spine. Oct 15 2004.}