The healthcare profession is one of the most challenging and demanding careers in the world, which not only requires serious academic achievements but also optimum communication and teamwork skills. While we cannot do much about the academic part, are you looking for ways to groom and polish your interpersonal skills? Do you want to come across as a professional yet likable healthcare professional for your patients? We have a few tips for you just below.
1. Call Your Patient by Their Name
This might come across as a bit controversial, but hear me out. There is nothing that can put your patients off, than a doctor who can’t remember, or worst pronounce the patients name correctly. In order to build a rapport during that first interaction with the patient, you must remember and call out your patient by their first name. Not only does this make the patient comfortable, it entails a sense of satisfaction that the doctor is really concerned with every patient he/she attends to.
2. Smile and Make a Great First Impression
Simply smiling at your patients during the meet and greet session at the appointment can make you seem approachable and friendlier. Make it a point to leave a strong first impression the minute you interact with the patient. Whether it’s having a close eye contact, a firm hand shake or some light humor, good manners and courteous behavior towards a patient goes a long way in building your reputation.
3. Don’t Act Distracted
It is a harsh reality that you will meet mostly lonely, old and frail people throughout your profession battling with life threatening diseases. After the initial meet and greet, listen to the patients concerns and complaints in a respectable way while maintaining eye contact. It is also advisable to be fully attentive during the appointment sessions, this will make your patient feel more valued and increases their confidence in the doctor and the treatment regimen.
4. Keep the Conversations as Concise and Focused As You Can
It is all too common to see practicing doctors speaking in a rushed manner with their patients, so much that they cannot even get their point across. It is advisable to have concise and focused discussions with your patients in a loud and clear tone. Make sure that the patient clearly understands your instructions by encouraging questions, asking them to jot down notes or simply repeating your instructions.
5. Don’t Forget About Personal Grooming
As a doctor, you are looked upon by your patients and juniors alike. In that case, maintaining a personal hygiene routine such as wearing a clean and professional attire, grooming your hair and nails, applying a light fragrance that is not too over powering and ensuring a clean and clutter free office are absolutely essential.
6. Practice Humbleness
Life is tough, and people generally have it harder than you do. Apart from fulfilling your role as a doctor, you must also practice compassion and humbleness towards the diseased and sick. Practicing kindness and compassion amongst each other can help lift others in times of despair and feel your heart with gratitude towards the precious gift of life.
You should also be using PACS DICOM viewer software to provide quick data to your patients, which will also make them trust you more. You can skim through DICOM PACS software vendors to choose the one that works for your hospital or medical practice.
In conclusion, while you certainly cannot keep everyone happy, neither should you try. Here are some of our best tips to be more approachable and likable in the hospital setting.
