Trust is an important part of every type of relationship, especially when it comes to the doctor-patient relationship. Without it, people feel like they cannot rely on their doctors which can lead to many negative things.
Our well-being should always be our priority, which is why whenever we feel ill we immediately seek help from medical care. No one ever thinks that something can go wrong or doubts the skills of our doctors.
People think that their faith cannot be shaken, but unfortunately, mistakes happen and that leads us to stop believing in our physicians. What can we do then? Is this damage permanent or can it be fixed? Here in this article, we talk about the things you can do to try to repair it.
What Can We Do?
Communication
In every aspect of our lives, communication matters, so the same goes for this case. The way your doctor communicates with you is as crucial as the information he or she translates to you. That’s why both of you (especially the doctor) have to work on it.
Why is this so essential? Communication helps both of you to create a solid relationship. That is one of the biggest tools when it comes to providing high-quality care to their patients. Those physicians who are continuously working on enhancing it are able to properly collect information, as well as history from their patients.
If everything goes well, they will also be able to execute a good examination that is needed for solid diagnosis, as well as the management. That’s why whenever you feel like your doctor is not listening to you, be vocal about it and let him/her know that!
Talk About The Patient’s Worries Directly
Another very important part of the doctor-patient relationship. The professionals at www.wilsonlaw.com claim that it’s of great relevance to try to understand the concerns that your patient is having. Of course, sometimes they tend to worry too much or are wrong when it comes to their diagnosis, but it’s your duty as their doctor and a person they trust to understand them and try to ease their concern as best as you can.
If doctors do this, their patients will know that they truly care about them. These people are putting their lives into the hands of the physicians and that’s something that should never be misused.
Anything Else That Can Be Done?
Create A Rapport Right From The Start
Trust simply has to be built from the very beginning. One of the strategies to achieve that is by establishing a good rapport from the start. If this is accomplished right away, then the patients will know that the doctor is here to understand their issues and to help them feel better.
What does the provider have to do? He or she can start by asking relevant questions concerning their habits, routines that they have on a daily basis regarding their lifestyle and also learn more about their family background. All these things are integral to rebuilding the trust that was once lost.
Focus On Questions
In any area of your life, whenever you feel like you do not understand something, prepare a list of questions to get the proper answers. Patients often do not do that and that affects their experience with their physicians because they do not get enough information.
So if a doctor asks you why you’re here, don’t stay silent or confused. Write down all your worries and questions instead and if your physician is professional and attentive enough, he/she will make sure to provide you with everything you want to know. It’s advisable to even give the medical assistant one copy of these questions to put on the chart before you enter the provider’s office.
Distractions And Interruptions
Always keep in mind that you are not the only patient your doctor has. We all want to have undivided attention and sometimes it upsets us when we have a feeling we didn’t get it enough, but that’s because doctors are frequently distracted by various factors.
That’s one of the reasons people lose their trust. They think that their physicians are not focused enough. Now, if you want to change that, ensure to turn off your phone or put it on silent before the patient enters your office.
This way you will make the best use of that time. If you make a call during the appointment, your patient is going to start feeling neglected or as if they are not your priority. If the interruption is not urgent then you can postpone it or simply take the message. Your patient may turn to someone else if you don’t fix this.
Everything can be fixed, as long as both parties are working on it. That’s why it’s important to recognize the problem on time if you want to change things for the better. These suggestions are a great start if you’re determined to rebuild the trust.