10 qualities that make a #doctor popular (among #patients)
Surprisingly, it is not the #NEETPG score, reputation of medical college, gold medals received in medical college or number of research papers published. After 30 yrs as a practicing doctor, I present my observations here
Surprisingly, it is not the #NEETPG score, reputation of medical college, gold medals received in medical college or number of research papers published. After 30 yrs as a practicing doctor, I present my observations here
1. Ability to #listen: You will be #popular if you let your patients speak without interrupting them. You should start only after patients have finished saying what they have to. Also, they like it, if you don't interrupt or cut them short, while they are speaking.
2. #Smile: Patients love it, if you smile while receiving them. A serious face puts them off. If you get angry (even if it is their fault such as if they arrived late, or they have not followed your instructions), your popularity as a doctor would diminish. Smile relaxes them.
3. #Punctuality: Patients love it if they are seen on time. If you are getting late, it is better to inform them in advance. If OPD is busy or if you get stuck with an emergency patient causing a delay of 20-30 minutes, they don't mind. If helps to apologize as you receive them.
4. #Explanation: Most patients appreciate if you explain the cause of illness, seriousness of the disease, steps needed to keep their disease in control and treatment options. If they are told "just follow my advice", most likely they would switch to another doctor next time.
5. #Truthfulness: Patients love to be told the truth. We hesitate to break the #bad #news regarding their illness, but most patients like to hear the truth. It may require more than one meeting, if there is bad news to share. If you are pressed for time, schedule another meeting.
6. Make patients feel they are in #control: Put forward all the options regarding investigations, medicines or surgery. Discuss the pros and cons but let the patient decide. Guide them but don't sound "authoritarian".
7. Write fewer #medicines: Most patients don't like taking a lot of medicines. They love it if you are economical with the number of drugs. Tell them how the medicines work and most importantly any adverse effects that may occur with them. Assure them about the safety & efficacy.
8. Cost-consciousness: If patients are aware that you are trying your best to cut down the #costs of #treatment, they like it. It could be avoiding a non-essential test or getting them done low-cost or choosing a less expensive medicine #brand or a procedure that costs lesser.
9. #Reassure the patients: Patients love to hear comforting words especially towards the end of discussion. Even if the prognosis is grave or the patient is critical, it helps to say "we will do our best" or "let us hope for the best". They don't like to hear "there is no hope".
10. Refer if someone else can do better than you: We can not be master in every aspect of our specialty. If someone is better than you, refer them at the appropriate time. It doesn't lower your reputation, but enhances the trust patient puts in you.
#MedTwitter #doctors
#MedTwitter #doctors
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