Are you more worried about what your doctor thinks of you than you are about the quality of care you are receiving? If so, you may have “good patient syndrome,” a condition that can be bad for your health! [More]

Ignoring pain and discomfort in the hopes that symptoms will just go away on their own is never a good idea. When what you really need is a trip to the emergency room, you could put yourself at serious risk. [More]

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed a change in federal regulations that would allow patients direct access to their laboratory test results. Good idea? Weigh in. [More]

Preparing in advance for a doctor's visit is an important part of taking an active role in your healthcare. In medical school, many medical professionals are taught to use the SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, plan) acronym to help them organize their thoughts when charting. Patients can also use this acronym to learn how to communicate in an effective manner, which can create more realistic expectations and result in higher satisfaction. [More]

Would most doctors take their own healthcare advice? A recent study says “not always.” Why the double standard and what can patients do to get a doctor’s honest opinion? [More]