Do you sometimes feel anxious about an upcoming doctor’s appointment, wondering, “What should I say? How should I act?” Could this make you become either “The overwhelmed patient? The angry patient? The suspicious patient? or The talkative patient?” If you are a clinician, you may wonder, “Who is this new patient? Will the patient be receptive to clinical suggestions? Will the patient be accepting or judgmental?” This guidebook highlights several patient personalities and the effects of such personalities on the formation of productive clinician-patient relationships. It provides both patients and clinicians with the needed tools for effective communication that result in meaningful and rewarding clinician-patient relationships.

This helpful text is based upon the author’s clinical experiences in diverse health care settings and interactions with patients and other clinicians during the past twenty-five years. Along with appropriate illustrations, Simple Tips to Developing a Productive Clinician-Patient Relationship includes clinician-patient scenarios with sample dialogues and tips for both clinicians and patients to help develop and maintain a successful clinician-patient relationship.