How do I Improve Clinical Communication to Patients?

Physician-patient communication is often overlooked in health care assessments. However, effective communication can increase patients' medication and treatment compliance, reduce the likelihood of malpractice lawsuits and reduce patients' anxiety and fear about their health. Listening to the patient and expressing empathy and compassion for her concerns can drastically improve a physician-patient relationship. Assessing a patient's level of literacy and medical knowledge and providing information at a level with which she is comfortable will help make the patient more likely to comply with treatment suggestions.

Instructions

Listening to the Patient

• 1

  Identify the patient's concerns and the reason for his visit. Be sure to listen to all symptoms and worries the patient has.

• 2

  Show empathy for the patient by listening clearly and taking all of her concerns seriously. Don't dismiss psychological concerns out of hand, but consider all symptoms.

• 3

  Ask the patient if your understanding of his problem is correct. Restate the patient's concerns and ask him if you are hearing him correctly.

• 4

  Assess the patient's level of medical knowledge and literacy. Be sure to communicate medical information at a level of complexity with which the patient is comfortable.

Present Treatment Options

• 5

  Explain the treatment plan and the steps the patient needs to take in clear, simple language. Use definite, actionable advice such as "walk for 20 minutes twice a week" rather than abstract objectives.

• 6

  Assess the patient's understanding of the information. Asking the patient to restate the information can be a good way to enhance recall and be sure she understands the concepts presented.

• 7

  Be honest and clear about possible side effects and the effectiveness of the treatment. Listen carefully to any concerns the patient has about medications or other treatments.

• 8

  Ask for feedback. At the end of a visit, take a few minutes to assess the patient's feelings about the session.