MPS: Survival Tips

COMMUNICATION Good doctors are good communicators – it’s that simple. Good communication is key to an eff ective doctor–patient relationship and is important for all aspects of a patient’s care. Poor communication can lead to numerous adverse outcomes, including failure to follow up test results, inappropriate prescriptions, and incorrect diagnoses and follow-up. These can all have serious consequences, including patient harm, complaints, claims and even disciplinary inquiries. Understandably patients experience diffi culties in assessing the technical competency of a doctor, so will frequently judge the quality of clinical competence by their experience or their interpersonal interactions with a doctor. Developing good communication skills will improve clinical eff ectiveness and reduce medicolegal risk. Tips for eff ective non-verbal communication: • Be patient and observe • Show respect • Be self aware (posture, eye contact, fi rst impression) • Be curious • Assess patients’ moods • Show empathy but be aware that physical contact is not always appropriate. SURVIVAL TIPS... COMMUNICATION • Remember good doctors are good communicators – patients frequently judge the quality of clinical competence by their interpersonal interactions with a doctor. • The GMC’s Good Medical Practice guidance says that doctors should work in partnership with their patients. • Be observant, show respect, be patient, be curious, show empathy, assess patients’ moods and be aware of your body language. • Communication between primary, secondary, voluntary and social care should be viewed not as a chain but as a communication net, where all members can contact each other. • You must interact professionally with colleagues.