Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Basic Strategies
• Part 2 of 4: Meeting New Patients
• Part 3 of 4: Using Non-Verbal Communication
• Part 4 of 4: Discussing Difficult Issues

A good doctor must be very tactful. Talking to patients is a key skill that you will need to develop.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Basic Strategies

1. 1 Before you say something, think about what exactly you want to say. When you know what exactly needs to be said, think about the best way to express yourself before the patient walks into your office.
   • You don't need to write down everything you say, but having a general idea of ​​what needs to be said will make it easier to remember all the necessary details. It will also give you an opportunity to think about how to express yourself better.
2. 2 Listen carefully. Ask patients questions about their problems. Pay close attention to patient responses and respond in the same way.
   • Pay attention to both verbal and non-verbal responses.
   • Repeat the patient's answers. This will help you better understand the situation as you reassure your patients that her or his problem is solvable.
3. 3 Consider the patient's needs as a whole. The patient is more than just a medical case. You must look at him as a person with his own unique fears, beliefs and circumstances.
   • Respect all of your patient's beliefs, even if you disagree with them.
   • Encourage patients to ask questions.
4. 4 Speak with the patient in an accessible language. If possible, discard medical terminology, do not speak professional language with patients. Speak slowly and clearly to avoid unnecessary confusion.
   • Divide important information about a condition or treatment into small pieces. Make sure the patient understands one part before moving on to the other.
   • Only provide technical information if asked. Too much complex information can be disheartening for many patients.
   • Some say reading comprehension is stuck at 6th grade. Try replacing the words that you would use to describe the situation in a conversation with another doctor with words that a sixth grader understands.
5. 5 Build your discussions on past experiences. When describing the meaning of specific actions, try to use words that were understood by your previous patients.
   • If the patient has recently been discharged, explain that neglect of prescribed treatment can lead to readmission.
   • If a family member or friend of the patient has had the same illness, talk about the good and bad ways of caring for the loved one.
6. 6 Explain everything to the patient carefully and accurately. The information you provide about his illness, condition and treatment must be complete and accurate.
   • Explain the essence of the diagnosis in an accessible language.
   • Describe the course of treatment and the expected result. If there are alternative treatments, explain them too.
7. 7 Make sure to be understood. After you have said everything the patient needs to know, ask him to repeat your words. This will help you make sure that the patient understands you.
   • Correct any misunderstandings immediately.
   • You can also provide sources of additional information if the patient wants to know more.

Part 2 of 4: Meeting New Patients

1. 1 Introduce yourself. When meeting a patient for the first time, you should introduce yourself and explain that, as a doctor, your main task is to take care of the patient in the best possible way.
   • Let the patient know that you are considerate of their concerns and beliefs and try to take them into account when choosing a treatment.
   • Reassure the patient that he can discuss everything without fear of judgment or ridicule.
   • Present yourself as the patient's ally.This helps to establish a good relationship between the doctor and the patient.
2. 2 Break the ice with a short conversation. A short conversation creates a relaxed, friendly atmosphere in which your patient will feel more comfortable. You can also achieve this by ending the conversation on a light-hearted note.
   • A short conversation can be helpful when you first meet with a patient and in cases where you need to communicate with him later.
   • Distracted topics of conversation can be the weather, the economy, the latest medical news, or current events.
   • If you think you will establish a long-term professional relationship with the patient, you can also move on to personal topics. Tell about your family and ask about the patient's family. Discuss your patient's career, education, likes and dislikes.
3. 3 Review the patient's medical history twice. You should have your patient's medical history on the table in advance, in a conversation you can clarify questionable points.
   • Ask to clarify all the points in the medical history that you do not understand.
   • Review the medical history of your patient's family members and find out if they have any family members with a medical condition relevant to the diagnosis.
   • Before prescribing any medications, ask if the patient is allergic to them.
4. 4 Ask about the patient's values ​​and ideas. Ask if the patient has any beliefs that you should take into account from the outset. Regardless of the answer, you must evaluate the patient's values ​​and goals as you work.
   • Ask questions to make sure the patient believes you. When working with terminally ill patients, ask what is worth living for? From the answer, you will understand what the patient is ready for in order to prolong life.
   • Keep asking questions until you have a complete understanding of the patient's point of view.

Part 3 of 4: Using Non-Verbal Communication

1. 1 Use visual effects. This will help the patient understand concepts that would otherwise be difficult to understand.
   • If possible, review the diagrams and graphs of the part you are working with.
   • If you cannot find diagrams or diagrams, compare abstract concepts using concrete analogies and mental images.
2. 2 Deal with the patient. Let the patient see that you are attentive to him and actively maintain eye contact.
   • You will, of course, sometimes need to look at the medical record, but try to maintain eye contact with the patient for at least half of the conversation. Eye contact is especially important when the patient talks about their problems or asks questions.
   • Maintaining eye contact can help you notice non-verbal modes of expression.
3. 3 Watch your voice. Your tone should be clear and professional, but at the same time quite friendly.
   • Try to create a pleasant atmosphere, not a cold and austere one. Patients must always trust you and have faith in you, so you must behave confidently and professionally.

Part 4 of 4: Discussing Difficult Issues

1. 1 Discuss difficult topics before a crisis hits. You should discuss some of the tricky issues that may arise once a diagnosis is made or if there is concern that the condition may worsen.
   • This can include anything from radical treatments to lifelong patient care.
   • The ideal place to discuss challenging issues is in your office, not the hospital. Patients tend to make wise decisions in a relaxed environment.
2. 2 Take time to discuss important decisions. Some questions may need to be addressed immediately, but usually patients have a few days or weeks to think.
   • Insist on the importance of making a decision, but give the patient as much time as possible to think.
   • People often regret decisions made in a hurry. Try to minimize your regrets and the regrets of your patients.
3. 3 Understand the importance of trusting decisions. Regardless of whether you share the opinion or religious beliefs of your patients, respect and encourage their beliefs, they will benefit.
   • If a patient asks about your religious views, do not hesitate to share your opinion. This will help create a comfortable environment when things go wrong.
   • If you feel uncomfortable, discuss the matter, you can refer your patient to someone who can solve it. Refer the patient to a priest or recommend a professional counselor who is willing to discuss religious issues.
4. 4 Reaffirm positive beliefs. Even if the situation seems medically grim, you should encourage the patient to hope and fight the illness.
   • This does not mean that you should give false hope. If the chances of recovery are slim, be honest about it.
   • Insist that there is hope. Do not rule out the possibility of a good outcome, even if full recovery is in question.
5. 5 Talk to your patient. No matter how strong the patient and family's hope is, show that your hope is just as strong.
   • If your patient is praying for a miracle, you may say that you are also praying or hoping for a miracle.
   • If the patient has come to terms with his illness, you should not put pressure on him and make him hope for the best. At any rate, you should discuss various ways to make the patient's life better despite his illness.
6. 6 Reassure the patient that you are always there. Say that you will be with him or her throughout the illness or treatment. When someone receives frightening news, a knowledgeable ally can be a source of comfort and support.
   • If most of the treatment will be carried out by other doctors, you must reassure the patient that you will continue to be informed and always ready to discuss his problems and the course of treatment.
7. 7 Suggest the best option. If the patient has a difficult decision to make, they may feel too overwhelmed to make it. In such cases, you may need to tell the patient directly that you believe in the best.
   • Suggest and explain why you think this is the best option. However, do not insist that the patient accept your offer.