For instance, you could walk into the room and smile and say something like, “Hi Chris! It’s good to see you again, how are you doing today?”
Try to make your patient feel like they’re the center of the universe and the only patient you have to see that day when you’re with them.
For instance, instead of saying myocardial infarction, you can simply say heart attack. You can also use colloquial terms like ticker (for heart) or noggin (for head).
This can be really important for complicated or rare diseases that are difficult for a non-medical person to understand.
For instance, you could say something like, “So, we could always operate and try to fix the issue, but we could also give it some time to see if it heals on its own. Both are viable options, what are you leaning towards?”
For example, you could ask a patient about any exercise they’ve done or sports they’ve played recently and then ask if they felt any pain or discomfort during the activity. You could also ask about your patient’s family to learn more about their medical history. For instance, you could say something like, “How about your father? Did he ever have any trouble with his heart or did he ever complain about being tired often?”
You want your patient to feel comfortable telling you everything, even if it isn’t good news or the best behavior. For instance, don’t get upset if they tell you they’ve been smoking or taking drugs.
For example, you can affirm their belief by saying something like, “I’m hopeful for a miraculous recovery, too. ” and then assure them by saying something like, “I’ll be here for anything you need. ”
Your hospital or medical network may use specific programs to communicate with patients. Learn how to navigate and use them so it’s easy for you to stay in touch.
