A word to patients and their caregivers: Mind your manners in the doctor’s office

A new study by a major medical association warns that rudeness by patients and family caregivers in the doctor’s office has an adverse effect on the quality of care. It not only influences a doctor’s attitude, but can also have an impact on communication and workload sharing among the medical team responsible for patient care. Being treated rudely can interfere with a doctor’s cognitive thinking without them even realizing it.

That said, neither the hospital nor its medical staff can control patient and family behavior. So what’s the solution? It starts with raising awareness and offering sensitivity training for healthcare professionals.

FierceHealth reports on a computer game that helps raise the threshold of sensitivity to anger and aggression. Awareness also means developing a good bedside manner – showing empathy, being a good listener, and striving to connect with the patient on a one-to-one level.

Both the medical professional and the doctor’s office where they work have a role in improving rapport with patients and caregivers, as this ultimately leads to better quality of care and better patient outcomes.

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