Does a patient’s personality style impact health outcomes?

This case describes a young man with severe haemophilia B who uses the “avoiding” mode of behaviour, leading to isolation and reduced ambulation. Health care providers promoting health change behaviour were able to empower the patient to direct his care toward his desired outcomes. As his self-awareness increases, he begins to use another mode of behaviour: compromising. Thomas- Kilmann’s conflict management framework is a novel approach to bringing two sides together in a working partnership. This challenging case shows the balance between a patient’s self-care and symbiotic interaction with HCPs to achieve successful health outcomes.