Access Your Patient Communication

  Effective doctor-patient communication is a crucialstep in building a therapeutic doctor-patient relationship, which is the heart and art of medicine. This is important in the delivery of high-quality health care. Much patient dissatisfaction and many complaints are due to breakdown in the doctor-patient relationship. However, many doctors tend to overestimate their ability in communication. Over the years, much has been published in the literature on this important topic. Here are some tips for better doctor-patientcommunication.

      1.      Attention

Because of everything they have on their minds, physicians may not be fully attentive in the exam room. Doctors often rely on automatic, fast thinking when interacting with patients. But practicing mindful attention can help them slow down enough to use deliberate, more conscious thinking when patients present signs of something serious.

      2.      Rapport

This is imperative. Noting that the smallest details, such as physical appearance, your level of eye contact with patients or how often you use their names in conversation, can shape your relationships with patients. When it comes to treatment, you want patients to feel that we’re in this together. To boost team morale, it is recommended to give patients their full, undivided attention.

      3.      Explain

Ask patients a variety of questions that encourage them to explain more about their health and habits outside their appointments. Questions such as, “Can you tell me more about yourself? What is important to you? And what can I do to help you?” can incite patients to fully engage in conversation.

      4.      Curiosity

Developing a sense of curiosity can inspire physicians to ask more questions and dig deeper with patients, as well as foster empathy and understanding for patients’ unique needsand circumstances. It also helps doctors recognize when something is off with a patient so they can then engage.While genetics partly contributes to curiosity, supportive environments can also foster it, particularly those that allow physicians to feel comfortable freely sharing their doubts and discoveries.

      5.      Practice

Practice may not always make perfect, but it can certainly help physicians in training get ahead of tough conversations with patients. Practice good communication as much as possible. Ask patients for raw feedback, identify communication roadblocks and review communication techniques with others.

      6.      Collaboration

People are far more likely to positively respond to recommendations and questions in collaborative settings. Explain your recommendations, what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. 

      7.      Presence

Listening deeply, without judgment, interruption, or preconceptions, can be tough for physicians who have a myriad of other things to worry about. However, a physician’s presence can help a patient feel understood and acknowledged, and decrease chances of miscommunication and error.

To sum up, health professionals, whether physicians, nurses or psychologists, need to focus on and improve, if necessary, their communication with patients; basically, learn how to unite the humanistic side of care with the technical side; how to be professionals without losing their humanistic identity.