In a qualitative study of 24 primary care patients who lived through a preventable medical problem, Elder and colleagues find that anger, mistrust and resignation are common.

This analysis classifies patient responses into four categories: avoidance, accommodation, anticipation, and advocacy, each with different implications for subsequent health care.

How Experiencing Preventable Medical Problems Changed Patients' Interactions with Primary Health Care
By Nancy C. Elder, M.D., M.S.P.H., et al

Annals of Family Medicine is a peer-reviewed research journal that provides a cross-disciplinary forum for new, evidence-based information affecting the primary care discipline. Launched in May 2003, the journal is sponsored by six family medical organizations, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Board of Family Medicine, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, the Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors and the North American Primary Care Research Group. Annals is published six times each year and contains original research from the clinical, biomedical, social and health services areas, as well as contributions on methodology and theory, selected reviews, essays and editorials. A board of directors with representatives from each of the sponsoring organizations oversees Annals. Complete editorial content and interactive discussion groups for each published article can be accessed free of charge on the journal's Web site, annfammed.

Contact: Angela Sharma
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American Academy of Family Physicians
Nov/Dec 2005 Annals of Family Medicine
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