As a doctor, it is paramount that your patients believe you to have their best interests at heart and that you value their trust in your care.
In order to ensure this high level of the patient-doctor relationship, there are certain practices in the workflow that should be adopted by any healthcare practitioner aiming for success.
From creating effective communication strategies with patients and families to understanding how the use of electronic health records affects referral flow; read on as we dive into all the details to make sure your patients know they can trust you with their medical needs!
Greet your patients with a warm and welcoming demeanor
Greeting your patients with a warm and welcoming demeanor is essential to communicate a sense of trust and respect.
A smile, a friendly ‘hello', and eye contact can go a long way in setting the right tone for the appointment.
Ask patients how they're doing to show that you care about their well-being, demonstrate understanding when they are anxious, and communicate thankfulness for their visit to reinforce their belief that you value them as important members of our healthcare team.
When providing instruction or guidance, make sure that you communicate with patients clearly and concisely so that they understand the process.
All of these small gestures communicate positive intent and are paramount to making sure patients feel comfortable, calm, and confident with their care.
Show genuine concern for their health
As a medical professional providing health and well-being services to patients, showing genuine concern for their health plays an important role in ensuring that your patients know you value their trust.
A critical part of this is being personable and compassionate when communicating with them.
When talking to a patient, use language and phrasing that conveys understanding and empathy; avoid technical jargon or sounding too overbearing.
Additionally, you should maintain frequent communication with the patient about their progress or any changes in their condition and be genuinely interested in what they have to say.
Showing that you are genuinely concerned for the patient's health will not only demonstrate respect but also give them peace of mind that someone cares about what's best for them.
Follow up after visits to see if they have any further questions
Following up with your patients after a visit can show them that you take their health seriously and really value their trust.
Taking the time to ask if they have any further questions, comments or concerns demonstrates your willingness to provide solutions not only for the issue at hand but for any sort of issue that may arise over the course of future visits.
Doing follow-ups sets clear expectations between you and your patient, so they know that you are invested in their well-being and willing to ensure that any problems are solved.
This type of personal connection is a great way of building a strong doctor-patient relationship.
Take extra steps to make sure they feel safe
In order to deepen your relationship with your patients and make sure they feel safe, it is important to take extra steps.
This could include approaching them with empathy and compassion, providing clear communication on their treatment plan and progress, regular check-ins to ensure the patient feels heard and understood, regularly scheduling screenings to detect any conditions early on before they can become serious, and so much more.
Taking extra steps that show your dedication to their care instills trust in your relationship with each patient, making them feel more comfortable sharing their needs and concerns.
Making sure each patient knows you value their trust is a crucial part of delivering quality healthcare.
Develop a relationship with your patients
Taking the time to build trust and understanding will help ensure that your patient stays compliant with their care plan and that they understand the value of their treatment.
One way to do this is to let your patients know how much you value their trust, by showing appreciation for their time, expressing genuine concern for their wellbeing, and offering simple gestures like smiling or providing small gifts.
Demonstrating that you are invested in your patient's health can go a long way towards ensuring greater satisfaction with care plans, greater adherence to medical advice, and ultimately improved outcomes.
Show gratitude for the trust they have placed in you
Whether it’s through a kind word or simply a thank you card, expressing your appreciation reinforces their choice to confide in you and will help create a phenomenal patient-doctor relationship.
It’s also important to demonstrate that you value their trust by keeping the communication lines open and being honest with them about any tests or treatments that are recommended, as well as being straightforward if anything changes such as insurance coverage or cost of services.
At the end of the day, valuing a patient's trust isn't just about making them feel acknowledged and appreciated; it’s also about appreciating their decision to entrust you with providing the best possible care for their well-being.
Taking these everyday steps can make a huge difference in the way your patients view you and their trust in you.
Showing genuine care for your patients can make them feel understood and valued, and it further establishes a trusting relationship.
Growing a strong connection will also encourage long-term commitment to treatment plans, giving patients the best chance of success.
It may require some extra effort on your part to ensure patient comfort and satisfaction, but the positive impact that it’ll have on their well-being is immeasurable.
There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing that the trust placed in you by your patients was well worth it!