Doctor Actions Improving Patient Relationships

Earlier this month, I gave a presentation to about 65 residents and other doctors on “Roles in Patient-Doctor Relationships: Seeing Both Sides.”

This is the fourth post:

• • • Doctors’ Roles and Responsibilities (including doctor morale)
    • Patients’ Roles and Responsibilities (and what doctors wish patients knew)
    • Stages of Patient Frustration and Satisfaction
    • Doctor Actions Improving Patient Relationships
    • Patient Actions Improving Doctor Relationships
    • We’re Not There Yet on Doctor-Patient Relationships

In the doctor-patient relationship, what can doctors do to enhance communications?

Check out the chart below, and these highlights from the chart:

Doctors need to show positive body language, such as not hanging in the doorway.  This shows less respect for the patient.

Studies show that the simple act of a doctor’s sitting, makes patients feel much better. They like being on the same physical level. And they tend to believe the doctor is with them longer than he/she actually is.

Doctors should allow their patients to speak uninterrupted. Studies show that, typically,  doctors interrupt patients within 11-18 seconds!!  

The doctor should always leave the patient with some hope, even when a prognosis is poor.