Study shows what personality style patients want in their GP

Patients prefer GPs who keep a professional distance when considering a diagnosis but become warmer at the end of the consultation and engage in a bit of banter.

These are the main findings from a British study that shows they prefer a traditional style, with a GP who is “supportive but professionally aloof”.

Previous research suggests the internet has empowered patients and changed the doctor/patient dynamics. But the latest work points to the benefits of good, old-fashioned prescriptive doctoring with a human