In general, the invention is directed to a patient programmer for an implantable medical device. The patient programmer may include one or more of a variety of features that may enhance performance, support mobility and compactness, or promote patient convenience. For example, a patient programmer may include both an internal antenna for RF telemetry with an implantable medical device and a display. The patient programmer may include a processor or other control circuitry that selectively disables. i.e., turns off, the display during RF telemetry with the internal antenna to promote more reliable communication. The processor or control circuitry also may disable electronics associated with the display during a telemetry session. In this manner, the programmer can be configured to reduce the impact of electrical and electromagnetic noise on telemetry performance.