10 Things That Patients Appreciate Most About a Doctor

We already know that people appreciate doctors who practice their profession with professionalism and dedication. However, according to a study, when evaluating the quality of health care, patients also consider other qualities such as compassion, personality, or empathy.

The most important factor, according to the survey, was the time they spent with their doctor, including their willingness to answer questions, listen to their concerns, and make sure they fully understood the diagnosis or procedure.

What do patients want when they go to the doctor and what do they appreciate most?

Communication

Good communication between doctor and patient is essential for every consultation. Even if you use medical terms, the patient must understand as well as possible what he is facing. Therefore, good communication means speaking "the patient's language" and making sure that he understood what you told him, and also understanding the reason why he came to the consultation and the symptoms he had. It has.

Don't forget to tell patients clearly what procedures to follow, to explain them patiently, and to make sure they understand the treatment schedule to follow or the date of the next consultation.

According to a study, a doctor's ability to communicate is the key to the patient's experience in the clinic. Patients who communicate well with their doctors better understand the problems that affect them, what is the treatment needed for their recovery, and are more cooperative, and these things translate into better results for their health.

Time allowed

The consultation time is limited to a short interval of only 15–20 minutes. During this time, the doctor must find out as much information as possible about the health of his patient, determine a diagnosis or the evolution to be followed and inform him correctly.

Therefore, beyond professionalism, patients appreciate when they are listened to and understood. Try to give each patient the necessary time and do not immediately end the consultation if the allotted time has expired.

The medical act is more important than the timing, and patients need to be confident that all the questions they have will be answered.

Empathy

Not all patients ask for empathy from the doctor treating them. Some people just want useful and necessary information to help them with their treatment. Other people want to be understood, to know that they have someone with them in the fight against the disease and they see in the medical staff an ally or even a friend.

As a specialist, you need to adapt to these situations. The best relationship between doctor and patient is when the latter feels understood. The ability to express empathy can be as important as the ability to make a correct diagnosis.

Attention and respect

Before a patient can be confident that his or her doctor can provide all the information he or she needs and the appropriate treatment, he or she must feel heard and respected. Doctors wait an average of 23 seconds, then interrupt their patients, which leads to the inability to collect relevant patient data, but also to poor communication.

Maintain eye contact and ask questions to make the patient feel understood. This applies to both in-office and telemedicine consultations.

According to a survey conducted in the USA, patients who were treated with respect reported a high degree of satisfaction with the medical act and followed the therapeutic indications.

Honesty

It is not at all surprising that patients expect honesty from doctors. They want to know the diagnosis even when the news is not very good. Also, every doctor is subject to error. If you happen to make a mistake in making the diagnosis, honesty, transparency, and compassion are the best way to go.

Trust

Patients appreciate a doctor they can trust, and this is earned when the doctor puts the patient's health first, builds a relationship based on good communication, and respects all standards of care.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is an obligation of medical staff - ethical and, at the same time, legal - and is therefore very important for patients.

Draw personalized conclusions

Patients do not want to feel categorized by age, weight, or other general factors. Although these may be important for the final diagnosis, patients want their doctor to show that they are listening before concluding.

Recommend other doctors

Patients do not expect a single doctor to be able to solve all the problems. However, they expect to be referred to another specialist or primary care physician, if necessary and, want to see their doctor's involvement and recommendations in the process.

In conclusion, the doctor-patient relationship is paramount in the provision of medical services. The priority of doctors is to take care of the health of their patients and good communication, by their condition and their possibilities of understanding, make the care easier. Patients appreciate doctors who communicate openly, honestly, and respectfully.