Doctor Patient Communication with One-on-One Analysis
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluations at J. Flowers Health Institute
The information presented on this page is an overview of the average evaluation of this nature and is offered here as a resource. At J. Flowers Health Institute, our evaluations are customized and tailored to the individual’s needs. We specialize in providing truly comprehensive health and wellness evaluations and a workable plan for future health to those who want to improve their quality of life.
If you would like to learn more about J. Flowers Health Institute, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Table of Contents
A cornerstone of successful treatment is a good doctor-patient relationship. During one-on-one analysis, underlying issues are explored and worked through. This type of analysis between doctor and patient is typically part of a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
The Importance of the Doctor-Patient Relationship
- Gather patient data that is used to diagnose conditions and form treatment plans
- Help patients comply with care instructions for healing
- Find the best ways to support the patient
- Retain a satisfied patient
What Patients Want in a Doctor
Patients have certain expectations of their doctors. Each patient has certain convictions about various treatment methods as well as expectations about the outcome. Just as the symptoms differ from person to person for the same issues, so do expectations. It’s key to a successful doctor-patient relationship for the doctor to determine what a patient wants in his or her doctor.
- Creating a good interpersonal relationship
- Facilitating the exchange of information
- Including patients in decision making
What Do Patients Say They Want?
Partnership: Patients prefer doctors who work with them rather than feel things are being done to them. This means patients get details on their conditions, treatments, and how treatment will progress from the initial assessment.
Communication: Two-way communication between doctor and patient is important, especially during the initial consultation. Seeing a doctor for the first time, especially in the early, fragile stages of recovery, can be intimidating and sometimes scary. Patients may be entering new and unfamiliar territory, and sometimes this can interfere with understanding the doctor, or being simply overwhelmed where they can’t process what the doctor is saying. Conversely, doctors may be unable to understand a patient’s troubles or explanations of symptoms.
What's Wanted with Administrative Communication
Some additional items that patients say they want includes:3
One-on-One Analysis Helps the Patient and the Doctor
How a Patient Helps a Doctor During One-on-One Analysis
- Being on time for all appointments
- Be able to clearly state their symptoms (a written journal can help)
- Have a history of their mental health issues and/or substance use patterns such as:
- When symptoms started
- How symptoms interfere with life, job, or personal relationships
- If there are any associated symptoms that could indicate a coexisting condition
- Any prior diagnosis data
- Any prior treatments
- When interrupted, respectfully asking the doctor to stop talking and listen to concerns
- Asking the doctor what are his or her expectations
How a Doctor Helps a Patient During One-on-One Analysis
Trust
One of the most important ways a doctor can help a patient during one-on-one analysis is by building trust from the start and throughout the sessions. Trust helps a patient feel safe.
Warmth
Expressing respect and warmth is key. Also, the doctor should be genuinely interested and curious when working with a new patient.
Preconceptions
All preconceived notions about a patient should be put aside. Matters relating to cultural backgrounds or spiritual beliefs that may be important to the patient should be allowed in a free and open discussion. The patient should feel that both doctor and patient are on a joint exploration through the patient's history, life experiences, and current symptoms.
Empathy
Essential to good communication during one-on-one analysis is doctor empathy. It is important for a doctor to be empathetic to the patient's issues and problems. It helps patients feel like they have "been heard."
Non-Verbal Cues
Doctors who communicate well non-verbally help foster positive treatment outcomes. Simple things like smiling, maintaining eye contact, keeping a relaxed and open posture, using a moderate tone of voice, and not being "in a hurry" all go a long way in helping patients during one-on-one analysis.
Three Models of Doctor Patient Relationships
Activity-Passivity Model
Guidance-Cooperation Model
Mutual Participation Model
The mutual participation model sees the doctor-patient relationship as an equal partnership. The patient is seen as the expert in his or her goals and life experiences, which makes patient involvement necessary for treatment development. The doctor’s part is to obtain the patient’s goals and to help the patient reach these goals. This model specifies that within the equal partnership is mutual dependence and engagement in activities that are satisfying to both patient and doctor.
In most one-on-one analysis situations, mutual participation would most likely be the most effective.
The Importance of Doctor-Patient Communication
What are the Best Doctor-Patient Communication Practices?
There is a general agreement among healthcare professionals on what the best practices are for communications in a therapeutic setting:5
- Foster the relationship
- Gather information
- Provide information
- Make shared decisions
- Respond to emotions
- Enable disease- and treatment-related behavior
Research suggests that patient satisfaction with doctors depended on how the doctor behaved carrying out tasks (such as drawing outpatient concerns by actively listening and providing detailed information) without being overly “bossy”. Patient satisfaction increased when tasks were carried out and then feedback was requested (as in: Does the patient understand what is being discussed? Is the information compatible with the patient’s cultural and spiritual beliefs?)5
Patient satisfaction increased when there were good nonverbal skills displayed by the doctor such as maintaining eye contact, high attention, and active listening.5
Also important was the doctor’s demeanor and affect (such as confident responses, caring, and addressing the patient’s main concerns).
- Be simple and straightforward
- Be specific
- Mix in some repetition
- Use as little medical jargon as possible
- Check-in with the patient to make sure there is understanding
How One-on-One Doctor-Patient Analysis Improves Treatment
Good Communication Leads to Good Outcomes
Good Communication Leads to Good Outcomes
Studies show that good doctor-patient communication skills improved outcomes. Conditions related to blood pressure and blood glucose levels, headache frequency, depression, and overall general functioning improved.5
Examples of Ways Doctors Can Communicate Well
Avoid closed-ended questions like “Do you have a good relationship with your partner?” Instead, ask an open-ended question like “What kind of a relationship do you have with your partner?”
A doctor who states their impressions of the patient can help open the lines of communication. A simple observation may help the patient open up. One example of stating an impression is “You seem upset with your partner today.”
Doctor: “I understand.” The doctor also makes eye contact and nods.
Examples of Poor Communication Leading to Poor Outcomes
Research findings suggest patients of doctors with high malpractice claims have twice as many communication complaints compared to doctors with low malpractice claims. Also, studies find that there is a link between poor patient and physician communication and future malpractice claims.5
Final Thoughts
Being a Helpful Patient
- Asking the right questions
- Not leaving the session without a full understanding of what the doctor explained
- Knowing their history
- Doing their homework to come equipped to the next doctor's appointment
- Being honest and open
- Fostering an active partnership with the doctor
- Being understanding that doctors need time to arrive at a diagnosis - sometimes this is a complex issue as there may be co-existing conditions present
- Not expecting their doctors to "read their minds"
- Staying with the treatment plan
- Managing their expectations (What do patients expect to get out of the session? Medications? Referrals?)
- Coordinating health insurance benefits to ensure no breaks in service
- Being tolerant and understanding of themselves and their doctors
Being a Better Doctor
- Showing respect by listening and responding in a kind and patient manner
- Taking the time to address patient concerns
- Being present in the moment (no distractions)
- Acknowledging patient thoughts, opinions, and views - this doesn't mean the doctor agrees with everything the patient says, but rather that the doctor respects the patient's viewpoint enough to address it
- Understanding that patients are typically scared of anything doctor-related
- Being knowledgeable in their field
Better Outcomes with One-on-One Analysis
Communication is critical at any stage of care, such as diagnosis, treatment, and advice, making positive and productive conversations a necessity. Both the doctor and the patient should make efforts to have a good relationship and always communicate effectively to help reach their desired goals and results.
Because communication between doctor and patient is critical, getting a one-on-one analysis with your doctor can improve your treatment and is a part of an effective comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.
Resources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1496871/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1126182/
- https://www.patientpop.com/blog/infographics/patient-experience-stats/
- https://www.upstate.edu/psych/pdf/szasz/doctor-patient-relation.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3771166/
