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4 min read
Did you choose a medical career because you wanted to help people? What a great motivation for your calling in life! But as time goes on, the stress of practicing medicine and the rigors of a hectic schedule can distract you from your first love: personalized, patient-centered care. How can you get back on track?
Johns Hopkins founder William Osler famously said, “The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.” However, Johns Hopkins’ Dean and CEO Paul B. Rothman says there are obstacles to adhering to Osler’s principles today:
Prevailing attitudes can hinder patient-centered care, too. To provide your patients with the best care, you must ask yourself a critical question: How can I cultivate empathy in a healthcare culture that seems to promote detachment?
An Arnold P. Gold Foundation–sponsored study published in 2014, Attitudes and Habits of Highly Humanistic Physicians, pinpointed two key habits that contribute to a positive physician-patient relationship: seeking a connection with patients and achieving work-life balance. The good news for physicians is that these are habits rather than intrinsic gifts. Daily interactions with your patients provide myriad opportunities to enhance your positive attitude and habits. Everyone can develop the actions, thoughts, and language skills that define patient-centered care.
Not only does this help the patient to remember you, but it helps them to know what to expect from you.
Speaking someone’s name focuses their attention and also helps you remember them better. Just be sure you use their preferred form of address.
A University of Kansas Hospital study showed that sitting rather than standing creates the perception of more time spent, making the patient feel more valued—regardless of the actual length of the visit.
Asking questions that can’t be answered with a “yes” or a “no” helps patients feel cared for and provides an opportunity for you to better understand their symptoms and concerns.
Sometimes even the best explanation is not enough to allay patient concerns. Active listening shows empathy, validates your patient’s needs, and may even help you overcome treatment obstacles.
World-renowned cardiologist and writer of The Art of Healing Dr. Bernard Lown says that “touch for communicating feeling or beliefs has an ancient lineage,” and can have a reassuring effect.
Stress is a barrier to empathy. You can’t remove all the stressors involved in practicing medicine, but you can develop ways to cope with them, such as practicing mindfulness.
Like every other medical skill, compassionate patient care must be learned, cultivated, and maintained. Take Osler’s challenge: Be a better physician by embracing these 7 steps and practicing empathy for both your patients and yourself.
Key points: A standardized patient encounter is a simulated patient exam used in medical education to get you more comfo...
