Patient care is one of the fundamental building blocks of any medical professional’s development. Learning how to be there for your patients emotionally — as well as treating their illness — is all part of the package. Not all doctors and nurses were created equal when it comes to the care that patients receive: some of us could be better at listening, while others have room for improvement in terms of providing earnest sympathy.
Listen
One of the biggest fears for most people is not being listened to. It plays on our innate instincts when we feel that what we’re saying isn’t being heard. Therefore, if a patient has told you their symptoms and has followed up with how it makes them feel, it is important you don’t disregard their emotions. While you may have seen an illness hundreds of times, it doesn’t make it any less scary for them.
Be in Their Corner
A patient may be approaching you with the utmost confidence when it comes to their broader care. For example, they may have selected you to be their GP as a result of medical negligence. You may have to give them a written diagnosis as part of their court case while it puts you in a completely sacred and trusted position. If you want to know the ins and outs of the formal process, then visit the-medical-negligence-experts.co.uk for the differences between each type of medical court case.
Give Them Knowledge
Don’t assume your patients won’t understand the full extent of their diagnosis. Explaining to them a little more about their illness will invite them to be more embracing of your tailored treatment plan. Even if they don’t understand the full complexity of the illness or condition, they might be happy that they know a little more about it. Your services are based on scientific knowledge and so it’s always helpful to reassure them of that fact.
Show Gratitude by Keeping Promises
Don’t leave your patients by saying ‘I’ll give you a phone call in two weeks’ if you will forget to do so. Keeping your promises is one of the best ways to show your patients that you not only care about them, but that you are grateful for their trust. When your patients leave, be sure to thank them and reassure them that you will be in touch. Many patients will go home and worry about their well-being or whether there’s more to their illness or condition than they initially suspected. It’s only natural for people to worry and fret. By being reliable and present, you will at least give them the reassurance that you are always just moments away.
Looking after your patients is not just a case of providing them with a solution and sending them on their way. It’s about being the trustworthy presence that they hope you will be. If they have had a previous bad experience with a medical practitioner, you need to set the better example.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
