This article was co-authored by Vlad Gendelman, MD. Dr. Vlad Gendelman, MD is an Orthopaedic Surgery Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in general orthopaedic surgery, including orthopaedic trauma, sports injuries, and joint replacements. Dr. Gendelman holds a BS in Biology from the University of Southern California and received his Doctorate from the University of California at Irvine. He then completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at SUNY Downstate. Dr. Gendelman is board certified with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is a member of the Los Angeles County Medical Association, the California Medical Association, California Orthopaedic Association, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Gendelman is a published author of multiple papers in the field of orthopaedic surgery.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
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Medical school can teach you almost everything there is to know about the human body, but it may not fully prepare you for how to deal with human beings. Fortunately, it’s not as difficult to talk to your patients as you may think. The key is to empathize with them and discuss their medical issues in an effective and compassionate way.
Here are 10 tips for communicating better with your patients.
Steps
Expert Q&A
- QuestionHow do you start a conversation with a patient?Vlad Gendelman, MDDr. Vlad Gendelman, MD is an Orthopaedic Surgery Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in general orthopaedic surgery, including orthopaedic trauma, sports injuries, and joint replacements. Dr. Gendelman holds a BS in Biology from the University of Southern California and received his Doctorate from the University of California at Irvine. He then completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at SUNY Downstate. Dr. Gendelman is board certified with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is a member of the Los Angeles County Medical Association, the California Medical Association, California Orthopaedic Association, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Gendelman is a published author of multiple papers in the field of orthopaedic surgery.
Board Certified Orthopaedic SurgeonTry to abandon as much formal medical terminology as possible and speak to the patient in layman's terms. - QuestionHow do I comfort a patient?Vlad Gendelman, MDDr. Vlad Gendelman, MD is an Orthopaedic Surgery Specialist in Los Angeles, California. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in general orthopaedic surgery, including orthopaedic trauma, sports injuries, and joint replacements. Dr. Gendelman holds a BS in Biology from the University of Southern California and received his Doctorate from the University of California at Irvine. He then completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at SUNY Downstate. Dr. Gendelman is board certified with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is a member of the Los Angeles County Medical Association, the California Medical Association, California Orthopaedic Association, and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Gendelman is a published author of multiple papers in the field of orthopaedic surgery.
Board Certified Orthopaedic SurgeonIf you can, show them charts, models, or diagrams to help them understand a condition or procedure better.
Tips
- Dress professionally to make the right impression. It’s totally fine to wear scrubs and your white coat. But if you aren’t, stick to a collared shirt and tie for men and a dress or dress pants for women. Your patients may be more willing to trust you if you look the part.Thanks
- If it helps, think about how you would talk to your own friends and family members and try to talk to your patients that way.Thanks
- Keep in mind that some of your patients may be scared or worried. Try your best to reassure them by understanding where they’re coming from and explaining what you think they should do in a calm and confident way.Thanks
Warnings
- Never belittle or insult a patient. It could permanently damage your relationship with them.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.aafp.org/fpm/1999/0500/p23.html
- ↑ https://www.aafp.org/fpm/1999/0500/p23.html
- ↑ https://americanmedtech.org/Blog/Blog-Post/how-to-talk-to-patientsso-theyll-listen
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000456.htm
- ↑ https://www.ama-assn.org/residents-students/medical-school-life/6-simple-ways-master-patient-communication
- ↑ https://www.aafp.org/fpm/1999/0500/p23.html
- ↑ https://www.aafp.org/fpm/1999/0500/p23.html
- ↑ https://www.ama-assn.org/residents-students/medical-school-life/6-simple-ways-master-patient-communication
- ↑ https://time.com/2894420/what-doctors-should-say-when-patients-want-a-miracle/
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