Open Forum “Patientology”: Lessons from Patients, Lessons for Patients

Abstract

A forum entitled “Patientology,” which we started in October 2014, marked its 50th anniversary of gathering at the end of the year 2018. The Patientology Open Forum is attended by nursing and medical students, various medical professionals, patients and citizens. The forum is on “patientology” because we intend to make it a place where students and health professionals meet and talk with patients and the public, and where they learn from each other. Our main aim has been to review the relationship between patients and health care providers by offering them an opportunity to communicate with each other. Knowing theories is not enough for health professionals to understand the necessity of communication with patients and acquire communicative skills and attitude. The forum allows both medical professionals and patients to learn together because it is where they can talk and share goals. In the years ahead, when countless and even unimaginable social changes are expected to come, a better understanding and cooperation between patients and health professionals will be of greater importance. Our activity will continue with the intension of facilitating it.