Faced with more and more stressors, physicians need to use a number of skills to improve their relationships with their patients, according to Timothy Poulton, M.D., in Hospitals & Health Networks.
“Collectively and individually, physicians are losing some of their capacity to form connections that are not only essential for an excellent patient experience but also for quality of care and safety,” writes Poulton, a family medicine physician with Mission Medical Associates in North Carolina.
However, there are skills that doctors and other members of the healthcare team can use to improve their relationships with patients and each other, he says. Physicians need to be present in their work, engage in meaningful conversations and navigate emotional challenges. Taking the time to listen to patients and colleagues leads to better outcomes.
Practicing presence and mindfulness is one key, he says. Breakdowns in communication between members of the care team often lead to preventable medical errors He suggests physicians take a deep breath and calm themselves before knocking on the exam room and seeing patients so they can give the patients their undivided attention.
It’s worth investing in educating doctors and staff in communication skills, as strong physician-patient relationships promote better outcomes, which increasingly will affect practices' bottom lines in the transition to value-based care. While many doctors may think their communication skills are just fine, the Cleveland Clinic gave its doctors direct patient feedback, which proved eye-opening.
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