"It's my body, my future": Older women's views of their interactions with physicians

Based on data obtained from in-depth, qualitative interviews conducted with 30 older Canadian women, this article examines older women's experiences with, and views of, physicians. The research participants report a very high level of satisfaction with the patient-physician relationship; however, they also report physician shortcomings. Findings indicate that participants' satisfaction with the patient-physician relationship was influenced by "stories about other doctors," rationalizations and justifications, and a high level of patient assertiveness.