How friending your Doctor Changes the Doctor-Patient Relationship
The Patient-Doctor Relationship
description
Transcript of The Patient-Doctor Relationship
The Patient-Doctor Relationship
Sonia Sehgal, M.D.Course Director CFI
Associate Clinical ProfessorDepartment of Internal MedicineUC Irvine Program in Geriatrics
This work was supported by a grant From the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation
Objectives
• Understand why patient-doctor communication is key to a successful relationship
• Learn basic communication strategies for an improved patient-doctor experience
The Patient-Doctor Relationship• Class exercise:
– Tell me about your most memorable positive experience with a physician (when you were a patient)
The Patient-Doctor Relationship• Class exercise:
– Tell me your most negative experience
The Patient-Doctor Relationship
• What does being a doctor mean to you?
Communication
• Patient-Doctor communication is important– Improved satisfaction– Improved compliance– Improved decision making– Better health outcomes– Decreased malpractice claims
Communication Skills
• Essential for diagnosing and treating illness
• Essential in establishing a meaningful patient-doctor relationship
• Facilitates educating and counseling patients
Communication
• Information gathered must be:– Objective – Accurate– Precise
A model patient-doctor relationship• Trust• Compassion• Open and honest
communication• Respect
Why is Doctor-Patient Communication Unique?• Trust
– Patients on the first visit share their most personal information to someone they have never met before
– They look to you for guidance when making critical health care decisions
Why is Doctor-Patient Communication Unique?• Trust
– Within minutes of meeting, patients are often required to disrobe for a physical examination and are placed in a vulnerable situation
Communication
• Who will you be communicating with?– Patients– Families– Colleagues– Other health professionals
Patient Communication
• Patients who feel at ease are more likely to tell you their reason for coming to the doctor’s office
• Be yourself!• Show true interest
The Physician’s Duties
• Respects the patient• Ensures privacy and trust of
confidential information• Demonstrates genuine concern
for patient’s health• Limits distraction to provide
patient undivided attention
Respect
• Introduce yourself– Patient– Family– Caregiver
Respect
• Explain your role and goal for the interaction
Respect
• If appropriate shake hands
• Always address the patient as: Mr., Mrs., Ms, etc.
Empathy
• To understand a person’s experience
• Different than sympathy• Requires
– Active listening– Interest in patient’s experience
Objectivity
• Removing your own beliefs and values
• Avoid judgmental attitudes– IV Drug Abuse– Education– Socioeconomic status– Language/Cultural differences– Ageism
Active Listening Skills
• Respect the patient as a whole person, not a diseased body
• Use confirmatory statements:– “Yes”– “Tell me more about that”
• Allow the person to tell their whole story without unnecessary interruptions
Active Listening
• Don’t be afraid of silence
Body Language
• Examination room configuration• Sitting/Standing• Eye level• Eye contact
– Note taking• Posture• Hurried speech
Body Language
• Patients notice more than you think– 2/3 of communication is non-
verbal • Appropriate use of touch
Patient-Doctor Communication:Key Points• Ask about expectations, feelings
and concerns• Show concern for comfort and
modesty• Give an opportunity to express
feelings and concerns• Encourage patients to ask
questions
Communication skills can be developed with
practice, patience and a willingness to learn