RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 One Cold Autumn Day
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 279
OP 281
DO 10.1370/afm.1781
VO 13
IS 3
A1 Peter de Schweinitz
YR 2015
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/13/3/279.abstract
AB Behavioral change is at the heart of effective primary care, but when patients don’t change, how do we account for our days? In this personal essay, I relate an encounter with a patient who wants to quit smoking, lose weight, and control her diabetes. I am discouraged when she deflects my recommendations, but a colleague’s comment encourages a deeper inquiry. Knowing the patient’s story and deepening the conversation, however, do not guarantee change. The experience reminds me why patience, humility, and faith are core values of the primary care physician.