Building Trusted Doctor-Patient Relationships Through More Effective Communication
I enjoyed being on Spaugh Dameron Tenny's podcast, the Prosperous Doc®! This was such a unique topic to cover.
A quick preview of what we discussed...
“If the physician walks in and really takes a moment to look at the patient, make some eye contact, be open, also be front-facing … that's going to make a big difference in opening up that trust.”
We also discuss how this trust is vital to the physician’s practice as it encourages patients to be more open and communicative about their current health, ailments, or whatever may be bringing them into the office.
Some key takeaways from this episode:
Nonverbal cues carry weight. Three nonverbal cues — hand gestures, facial expressions, and vocal tone — can greatly enhance communication. A study conducted revealed that doctors whose tone was perceived as friendlier and more trustworthy had fewer malpractice suits filed against them.
Building trust encourages more honesty from patients. The more trust a patient has in their physician, the more likely they will be honest about what they are feeling or experiencing. Shelly believes strong doctor-patient communication can lead to better and more accurate treatments for patients.
Apply communication skills for the digital age. Despite the rise in telemedicine, physicians should not forget the power of strong communication skills and nonverbal cues. During a virtual consultation, looking directly into the camera and facing the patient head-on is a great way to earn their trust.