When patients visit hospitals and doctors offices, they go because something isn’t right. When doctors request a set of medical tests all sorts of things run through the minds of patients.
“If the doctor’s baffled does that mean something is seriously wrong with me?” they quietly fret and worry.
That’s where bedside manners come in from those performing the tests. By taking the time to address any concerns, explaining procedures in layman’s terms, and even showing compassion and empathy, medical staff can ease fear and anxiety, making an unpleasant situation bearable.
Don’t think how you treat your patients matter?
One blogger still remembers the day, 6 years ago, when a radiographer treated her as a grunt for the military instead of a scared human being or the day, three years ago, when a radiographer decided the medical student was more important than the patient. Those may be just glimpses or forgotten memories to the medical staff who assisted her, but to this woman, their rude, inconsiderate behavior left a mental scar.
Fast forward to January 25, 2007. The same patient receives more tests, but this time from a radiographer who treated her with “kindness and respect”. Guess what happened? She publicly thanked the radiographer for treating her like a “human being.”
Yes, dear medical students and professionals, your bedside manners do make a difference in the lives of your patients. Remember how would you like to be treated if the roles were reversed and act accordingly.
Come back on Wednesday as we discuss the types of bedside manners you need to succeed in the field of medicine.
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