There is an unfortunate trend in healthcare today. This may be due to many factors, but I believe it is contributed by the growth of managed care and the increased load placed on the providers. This has resulted in a lack of proper communication between the provider and patient and thus, a reduction of interpersonal relationships with their patients.
There was a time when you could call an office and a person would answer the phone, you could ask to talk to your provider and they would answer your question and give you satisfaction.
There was also a time when you discussed your healthcare concerns and options with your provider. You would feel you were being listened to, and not just visited so they could move on to the next patient.
Today most providers are so busy that they are trying to get through the visit and on to the next patient, rather than listen to what the patient is telling them. Often, they don’t even make eye contact while they are discussing the patient’s issue, but rather entering information into their computer.
I believe that the true component in providing quality healthcare is the ability to listen to what your patient is communicating and not just looking at a diagnosis of the test result to determine a treatment plan.
In physical therapy, the effectiveness of a treatment plan can vary greatly depending on each patient’s needs, lifestyle, age, personality, and many other factors. The only effective way to determine the best treatment plan is to listen to them and communicate with them.
I find that in medicine today, our communication and listening skills are sorely lacking, especially in the younger generation, most likely due to the growth in digital communication. I believe that the importance in quality communication and interpersonal skills is getting lost in the need for increased efficiency and profit in the medical system.
This is why I, and all the therapists at ProActive PT and Sports Medicine, strive to set aside ample time with each patient to get to know them, listen to their issues and concerns, and discuss treatment goals to get a better understanding of their needs and challenges. We realize some patients will require more time and have more questions. Only with effective communication can we develop an effective treatment plan that will meet their needs.
From the time we first meet a new patient, to the time we tell them “Congratulations, you have graduated! “, we want them to feel like they were the most important patient in the room, have had a good experience, and feel like they have made some new friends!
That is my, and the ProActive way!