"HealthMedia initiated this campaign because there is often a lack of important communication and information sharing between patients and their healthcare professionals," said Ted Dacko, HealthMedia President and CEO. "Patients are often intimidated by their visit with their doctor. They often don’t remember to ask the questions that they wanted to ask, don’t understand parts of what their doctor tells them, don’t know how to use reflective listening (repeating back what they think they heard) to make sure that they understand advice, and can be unsatisfied with their overall relationship with their doctor and their health plan. HealthMedia offers specific products that help patients improve their communication and overall trust with their doctor. This has proven to improve outcomes."

The video will be used primarily as an advocacy campaign for health professionals and consumers. In addition, it will be used as a tool to help recruit participants into disease management web interventions focused on a better working doctor-patient relationship. Finally, the video will be used as part of the successful HealthMedia Care(TM) for Your Health program, an online intervention designed to improve clinical disease management efforts by helping people with chronic conditions develop the self-management skills necessary to take charge of their health. Current estimates indicate that more than 85 percent of disease management is self-management.

"Improving the doctor-patient relationship can improve outcomes, medication adherence, and satisfaction with the health care provider and the health plan. Shedding light on this issue, in an unconventional and humorous manner, will help both doctors and patients better appreciate the importance of overcoming fear of doctor’s visits and better communications," said Dacko. "The use of an entertaining and engaging medium is just one more example of HealthMedia’s revolutionary approach to behavior change."

"The relationship between patient and doctor is the very foundation of the healthcare system," said Vicki Rackner, MD, a surgeon who now focuses on improving the health of the doctor-patient relationship through her company, Medical Bridges. "HealthMedia recognized the importance of the relationship, developed tools that guide patients beyond their comfort zones and collected the data to confirm what I always knew to be true-improving the patient-doctor relationship enhances patient experiences and outcomes."

In "The Appointment," HealthMedia provides the following tips for patients in creating a successful partnership with their physicians:

– Be honest with your physician — Ask questions if you do not understand something your physician has said — Bring a list of medications and vitamins you are taking — Take notes during your appointment — Bring a family member or friend along if you need help — Alert your physician to changes in your life and/or health About HealthMedia, Inc.