As a physician raising the bar in palliative and end-of-life care, I've witnessed firsthand how our healthcare system's emphasis on quantity over quality has profoundly impacted the doctor-patient relationship. The standard 15-minute appointment has become an unfortunate norm in the U.S. healthcare system, driven by insurance reimbursement models that prioritize patient volume over meaningful interactions.

This time constraint is problematic in any medical context, but it becomes particularly challenging when dealing with end-of-life care. The complexity of medical decisions, the emotional toll, and the need for thorough understanding during this sensitive time require more than just brief interactions with your doctor.

Research consistently shows that increased time with your physician correlates directly with better patient outcomes. Yet, our current healthcare system continues to disincentivize doctors from spending quality time with patients, primarily because insurance payments are based on the number of visits rather than their quality or impact.

Through my decades of medical practice, I've identified five essential strategies that patients and families should implement to maximize the effectiveness of your doctor........

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