News: Notable quotes from AAFP's Scientific Assembly

Doctors from across the country gathered in San Diego last month for the American Academy of Family Physicians' 2008 Scientific Assembly. Following is a sample of the expertise shared in dozens of educational sessions:

"When a psychiatrist told me that I had bipolar disorder, my immediate reaction was 'Thank God.' Finally, it had a name. That meant that people knew about it. It really did exist."

-Academy Award-winning actress Patty Duke (above), on her reaction to hearing that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after more than two decades of knowing only that something was wrong

-Stephen C. Beeson, MD, author of Practicing Excellence: A Physician's Guide to Exceptional Health Care

"There is a growing body of evidence that the attitude and communication skills of a physician delivering bad news plays a crucial role in how well patients accept and cope with the news."

-Jerry L. Old, MD, on how physicians can most effectively dispense bad news to patients and their families

"Be prepared; have a plan. Have an exit strategy, so if an emergency does occur, you can facilitate the patient out of the office without creating a scene that scares the patients in the waiting room."

-Robert J. Dachs, MD, on what to do if an emergency happens while a patient is in your office