On Wednesday, we discussed the important of having a listening ear and showing enthusiasm, compassion, and empathy for your patients. Today, we’re going to finish up our discussion with two more ways to show good bedside manners.
3. Communicate
It’s not just important to actively listen to your patient. It’s also important to talk with your patient. How can you address your patient’s concerns? Have you explained the procedures in layman’s terms or in doctor terms? Have you nodded to let your patient know you hear him even though your back is turned because you’re setting up the equipment or reading a monitor? Have you made notes in your chart so that you can ask your patient, on his next visit if a concern resolved itself? Or have you made notes so that the patient’s doctor can follow-up on concerns you’re not qualified to answer? Have you asked enough questions to get a clear understanding of what the patient is trying to convey or did you simply dismiss the patient’s concerns and/or questions because you didn’t understand what he was asking?
4. Time
In a world where hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices run on tight schedules and 15 minute slots, it’s hard to not feel rushed and even harder to not put that tension on your patient. But it’s important to realize that no matter how rushed for time you feel or how scatter-brained you feel, you cannot let your patient see that. Your patient needs your undivided attention—even if all you can give him is five minutes of your time. Your patient needs to know that during those five minutes, he is all that matters.
To learn more about how bedside manners play a role in your medical career, check out these articles:
Bedside Manners And An Old Fashion Doctor
Good Bedside Manners Make A Difference
Doctors Urged To Mind Bedside Manners
Art of Communication
Come back on Monday to learn how to choose the right career for you from the staff of the Institute of Allied Medical Professions.
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