KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
It's a very interesting question and one that is asked quite often. Unfortunately, there is not one set answer or one simple solution, and there are many options out there.
For instance, clinical skills and judgment.
A physician needs experience and knowledge to weed through all of the potential health issues linked to a patient's complaint.
Another is technology. Without CAT scans or MRIs and the wide variety of tools out there, modern medicine would not be possible.
As for me, my answer has always been the same; a sense of caring. If your doctor is empathetic and compassionate, it can help remove countless obstacles and lead to high quality care, which I believe most patients want.