Read on Twitter
Today I had to do one of these awkward things we have to do for our medical studies:
- Reviewing filmed consultations of my own.
Today I will share all of the communication lessons I learned from that
--A Thread---
- Reviewing filmed consultations of my own.
Today I will share all of the communication lessons I learned from that
--A Thread---
Never forget the expectations of your partner during conversations. This will guide you through what needs to be said.
I was thinking so much about my own expectations during the consultation, that I forgot about the expectations of the patients. A big mistake!
I was thinking so much about my own expectations during the consultation, that I forgot about the expectations of the patients. A big mistake!
Always keep an eye on the body language of the other person.
I was neglecting her body language and forgot to pick up cues.
For ex.: In one part, we clearly misunderstood each other. Her body showed this and I ignored.
I was neglecting her body language and forgot to pick up cues.
For ex.: In one part, we clearly misunderstood each other. Her body showed this and I ignored.
Speak less, listen more.
I probably wanted to slightly show off with my knowledge because there was a camera pointed at my face.
Overall I gave way too much information without really listening to what the patient wanted to hear. Always deliver to the needs.
I probably wanted to slightly show off with my knowledge because there was a camera pointed at my face.
Overall I gave way too much information without really listening to what the patient wanted to hear. Always deliver to the needs.
Protect your time.
You only have 20 minutes per consultation. In these 20 minutes the patient needs to tell all his or hers concerns.
You need to protect your time by asking early in the consultations what all these concerns are.
Then ask the patient what is most important.
You only have 20 minutes per consultation. In these 20 minutes the patient needs to tell all his or hers concerns.
You need to protect your time by asking early in the consultations what all these concerns are.
Then ask the patient what is most important.
Work together as a team and have a similar vision.
Being a doctor is not an ego job. It is a job where you need to show a lot of empathy and compassion. I saw I was mostly projecting my own vision and plan. Thereby I forgot we needed a mutual plan!
Being a doctor is not an ego job. It is a job where you need to show a lot of empathy and compassion. I saw I was mostly projecting my own vision and plan. Thereby I forgot we needed a mutual plan!
Personalize your advice.
I was giving generic textbook advice. A mistake a lot of young doctors, fresh out of college make. But you have to remember everyone is different. Some want all the information, some want as little as possible. Stick to the needs of the patient.
I was giving generic textbook advice. A mistake a lot of young doctors, fresh out of college make. But you have to remember everyone is different. Some want all the information, some want as little as possible. Stick to the needs of the patient.
Buy yourself time.
I wanted to solve all the questions in this consultation which will made the quality of my care suffer. When a patient comes with another (non-urgent) complaint, buy yourself some time and say we will work it out during the next consultation.
I wanted to solve all the questions in this consultation which will made the quality of my care suffer. When a patient comes with another (non-urgent) complaint, buy yourself some time and say we will work it out during the next consultation.
Know the limits of your knowledge.
The patient wanted to know all the side-effects of certain medication. I did not know all of them but proclaimed to know them nevertheless. There is nothing wrong with calling out these limits. This will only build more trust with the patient.
The patient wanted to know all the side-effects of certain medication. I did not know all of them but proclaimed to know them nevertheless. There is nothing wrong with calling out these limits. This will only build more trust with the patient.
Sometimes there does not need to be a solution but a place to be heard and understood.
I wanted to be a problem-solver for the patient. Nevertheless that was never really asked. Sometimes solutions are rather in the art of active listening and empathizing.
I wanted to be a problem-solver for the patient. Nevertheless that was never really asked. Sometimes solutions are rather in the art of active listening and empathizing.
This is what I learned by watching myself function on video during work.
What did you learn from it as a non-medical professional?
Btw: I suggest everyone to film him/herself doing his/hers job. It will tell you a lot more about your functioning than you think.
What did you learn from it as a non-medical professional?
Btw: I suggest everyone to film him/herself doing his/hers job. It will tell you a lot more about your functioning than you think.
