Every appointment is an opportunity for teaching and learning, both for the patient and the doctor. However, given today’s real-life constraints, is expecting doctors to teach patients asking for the moon? “Your first question should not be, ‘What do I want my patient to know?’ but rather, ‘What do I…
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While it’s easy to tell if a patient has jaundice, you can’t tell if a patient is health illiterate just by looking at him or her. However, recognizing and addressing health illiteracy is just as important to your patients’ well-being as making accurate clinical diagnoses. “If patients do not understand…
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In general, most doctors fall into 2 categories when it comes to patient communication. There is one group which tends to make everything extremely complicated. They use a lot of technical medical jargon, and often will end up mystifying patients by overcomplicating explanations of the disease process and treatment options….
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Health literacy tools include: Handouts Audio-visual materials Face-to-face talks with patients Signage consisting of easily understood symbols (http://www.hablamosjuntos.org/signage/symbols/default.using_symbols.asp) Flip charts, diagrams, and wall posters (example: http://www.fertilityfriend.com/) Microsoft PowerPoint presentations Individual counseling Read on to see how different doctors use these tools. If you only treat your patients’ illnesses at your…
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I work hard at maintaining my technical skills, so I can continue to offer my patients the best care possible. Just like my patients expect me to be an expert, I expect my patients to be experts as well. In fact, I suggest that they do their homework before coming…
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Sometimes as doctors, we are the cause of bottlenecks in our own medical offices. After all, we only have 24 hours in a day, and the number of patients we can see, examine, and talk to is going to be limited. “When used strategically, technology can help to amplify a…
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How to speak your patients’ language for clearer communication
Most patients, regardless of health literacy level, prefer the use of plain and simple language when you communicate with them about their medical conditions. “Plain language is easy for patients to read, but sometimes you have to work hard in order to write simply.” -Aniruddha Malpani, MD, medical director of…
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