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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : June 13, 2014 11:26 AM IST
Doctors should work towards strengthening their relationship with patients, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said here Thursday. Taking a round of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Harsh Vardhan said: 'How about posting two resident doctors at the reception of the emergency (ward)? I think the patients who arrive should not be made to wait for too long for a doctor to examine them.'
Hordes of patients and their relatives went to the minister and narrated their difficulties. Vardhan assured them of the government's intention to improve the delivery system, an official release said. 'Doctors must bear the burden of responsibility of strengthening the doctor-patient relationship,' he said. 'AIIMS must preserve its high standards of treatment,' he added.(Read: 'India needs to strengthen doctor-patient communication')
Later, at a meeting with heads of departments and officials of AIIMS, Harsh Vardhan said: 'There exists only a hair-breadth difference between good behaviour and bad behaviour in the doctor-patient interface. Young doctors and staff must be made to understand that a patient is a messenger of good image... We need to continually monitor the agenda of compassion.'
How to make doctors consultation better?
As in a marriage, the doctor-patient relationship depends on good communication and trust, built up over time and it is definitely worth spending time and taking trouble to maintain a beneficial relationship. Here are some essential tips you should keep in mind to help your doctor understand your illness.
Tip #1: Make friends with the doctor's staff
The doctor's staff plays a key role in your medical care, and you need to learn how the clinic functions. It's very helpful to build up a rapport with a special staff-member (who can be a receptionist, a nurse or an assistant). The simple rule is that if you treat the staff well, you will be treated well too! And this can prove to be very useful when you need to talk to the doctor on a priority basis. You could even get them a small 'thank-you' gift, to ensure that you get personalized attention. Try to find out which are the busiest days of the week, and when it is the best time to visit the doctor. Knowing the staff also helps you undestand where you should call in the case of an emergency, or when the clinic is closed. (Read: A layman's guide to getting the best during a hospital stay)
Tip #2: Be prepared
Do your 'homework' thoroughly before visiting the doctor! In order to make the best use of your doctor's time, you need to 'prepare' for your visit, very much like you prepare for an examination. Time spent in getting organized before you go to the doctor can help immensely! A well-organized patient not only makes efficient use of the doctor's time but he is also likely to get better medical care, as he is helping the doctor a great deal in making an accurate diagnosis. Makes sure you have all your medical records with you, and the vital questions to which he needs answers (preferably, in writing). This will allow you and your doctor to focus on what is important to you, so that you can make the best use of the limited 'quality time' that they have with the doctor. Studies have shown that patients forget about 50 per cent of what the doctor tells them during a visit! Writing down the doctor's answers will prevent such a 'disaster'! Moreover, your doctor also stands to benefit because you need not pester him with your queries all over again!
Tip #3: Tell your doctor everything, never lie
Remember to inform your doctor about all the symptoms you have noted. List them in a chronological order, starting from the time when you first noted that something was amiss. It's extremely useful to record the factors that make your symptoms better, and those that make them worse, since it provides very useful medical clues. Also, let your doctor know what remedies you have tried earlier, and whether they have helped or not. If you have consulted a doctor earlier or have undergone relevant tests, please share this information with your present doctor, it will help him/her plan your treatment better. It's also helpful to prepare a short one-page summary of your medical history this will help your doctor understand your condition better and will ensure you don't miss out on any important details. Along with this make a list of all the medications you are taking, both prescription and non-prescription. Alternatively, you can collect all your medicines and show them to your doctor. (Read: Have a doctor's appointment? Make the most of it with these tips)
Tip #4: Ask about your diagnosis
After you have met your doctor, it is obvious you would like to know what you are suffering from, so do not shirk from asking your doctor what he thinks is wrong with you. Surprisingly, many doctors are reluctant to give a name to a patient's problems, so that if you do not ask specifically, you may not get an answer. So ask. (Read: 15 tips to make your doctor's consultation better)
With inputs from IANS
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