When patients are undergoing treatment, it’s common for them to feel anxious, uncertain about the outcome, and sometimes they feel that they’ve lost control of what’s happening to them. This is why it’s very important for doctors to communicate calmly and effectively with patients, to put them at ease and make them feel comfortable with their treatment. Many healthcare professionals would like to communicate better with their patients. Here are some insights to help.
Keep Communication Simple
Don’t use technical medical terms that patients may not understand and don’t bombard them with too much information at a time. All you will achieve is making your patients feel uncomfortable and incompetent. Be aware of any language and literacy barriers and work around them. If your patients don’t understand what they are supposed to do, you have failed in your role as a physician. Break concepts down into small bytes of information and avoid using medical jargon. Make plenty of pauses so your patients have time to digest what you have said. Ask them questions so you can be sure they are following what you say. Encourage them to ask you questions and express any concerns they may have.
Think About Your Body Language
While you’re speaking to your patients, at all times be aware of your body language. Sit down with your patients, make eye contact with them and smile. Don’t fold your arms. Show that they are welcome by presenting a relaxed posture. Set the stage for a friendly discussion so they will feel relaxed.
Be a Good Listener
When your patients are talking, don’t interrupt or cut them off, even though you might want to speed things along. If you are patient, in just a short time you can learn a great deal about their concerns and their healthcare preferences by simply listening to them.
Show Empathy
Empathy is key to enhancing doctor-patient interactions. It’s all about collaboration. Ask your patients how they’re doing and what their concerns are about their health. Inquire as to what things they would like to change. And importantly, ask them how they think you can best help them. Visit LanguageofCaring.com for more information on improving your patient communication skills.
Ask for feedback
You won’t truly know if you are successful with your style of communication unless you get some feedback from your patients. There are a number of ways you can do this. You can ask them at the end of your appointment, you can get them to fill out a patient survey in the waiting room or you can ask them for feedback through your patient portal.
Some Key Points to Remember
Help keep patients at ease: It’s most likely that your patients already feel anxious about their health, that’s why they’re coming to see you after all. Remember that sometimes this may make them come across as being abrupt and ill-tempered. Be patient with them and help them to relax. Make them feel confident that you will assist them any way you can.
Help patients feel in control: Once people enter the healthcare system it’s not uncommon for them to feel that they have relinquished control. This is particularly true when they are in the hospital and can no longer take charge of their simple daily routine such as when they get up, wash, eat their meals. Along with the loss of control come feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, neither of which is good for patients’ confidence or for increasing their chance of recovery. Good communication can prevent these feelings. It can help patients realize that they are still in control of their lives.
Help patients feel valued: The last thing you want is for your patients to feel that you just don’t have the time for them. One of the most valuable things you can give your patients is your time. Listen to them and get to know them. Work to understand how they are feeling and show them that you really do care about them. You will only be able to achieve this by communicating well with them.
Good communication with your patients is vital for patient satisfaction and a positive outcome. Even if you are using technology to communicate with your patients there’s no excuse for not conversing properly and making a real connection with each of your patients. Take your time, show empathy and always listen to what your patients have to say patients have to say.
