(Note: The partial quote is from an 18th century medical reference book that many Americans had in their homes).

Join AMWA Florida on Monday, November 22nd at 6:00pm for a webinar by Charles Lawrence, UCF Technical Communication master's candidate with a special interest in medical rhetoric.

The patient/physician relationship has changed since the 18th century, when medical knowledge was relatively limited. Arguably, both patients and physicians shared a common medical ignorance, and as a consequence, developed relationships that would be considered foreign to most patients these days. In our 21st century, patients often consult Dr Google before making appointments with their physicians. Now, patients often perceive themselves to be less medically ignorant than their 18th century ancestors did, changing the rhetorical interactions with their doctors, and the dynamics of their relationships with them.

 A review of the academic literature suggests that while patients have historically sought medical information from outside sources, advancements in medical knowledge and medical technology impacts patient perspectives about medicine and presents significant challenges for modern physicians.