Motivation, physician disclosure, and communication of personal stories

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Feb-March, 2007 by Robert A. Anderson

Studies have shown that physicians with healthy personal habits are especially likely to discuss prevention with their patients. Two brief health education videos about improving diet and exercise were produced and shown to 65 subjects in a general medical clinic waiting room. In one video, the physician revealed an additional half-minute of information about her personal healthy dietary and exercise practices and had a bike helmet and an apple visible on her desk (physician-disclosure video). In a second video, discussion of personal practices and the apple and bike helmet were not included (control video). Viewers of the physician-disclosure video considered the physician to be generally healthier, more believable, and more motivating than did viewers of the control video. "How much did the video motivate you to have healthy habits?" generated responses of "somewhat" from 26/66 for the disclosure video vs. 52/66 for the control video; but responses of "extremely high" for 22/66 and 2/66, respectively (p trend=.001). They also rated the disclosing physician to be specifically more believable and motivating regarding exercise and diet (p[less than or equal to].001).

Frank E, Brevan J, Elon L, et al. Physician disclosure of healthy personal behaviors improves credibility and ability to motivate. Arch Fam Med. 2000 Mar; 9(3):287-90.

COMMENT: Physicians' abilities to motivate patients to adopt healthy habits were enhanced by a very brief story of their own healthy habits. Medical educational institutions should consider encouraging health professionals-in-training to practice and demonstrate healthy personal lifestyles and to share experiences with patients. Patients listen attentively to stories, projecting themselves into the possibility of accomplishing similar things for themselves. The therapeutic ambience created by the presence of a bike helmet and an apple in the exam room can have a measurable effect at no cost of money or time.