The physician who is more aware of his/her shortcomings, as a human being, acts in a more sincere & spontaneous manner before the patient. Those who are more conscious about their limitations, despite the sense of "omnipotence" around their medical profession, try to exercise EMPATHY & UNCONDITIONAL LOVE toward a person under his/her medical/surgical care. Such physicians are willing to work on the narcissistic aspects of their personalities, in order to treat each patient as an unique fellow being... and NOT as a number!!! And the positive response to the medical treatment tend to grow because the patient feels that the doctor really cares about him/her.
Welcome to Improving Doctor-Patient Relationships
Patients need more than technical skills from their doctor. They need to feel their health questions have been adequately addressed and that their physician feels concern for them. This blog along with the book will help physicians understand the importance of doctor-patient communication skills and how to improve them.
Include the patient into the process
When the physician and the patient work as a team, the client becomes aware that the medical treatment is not only the doctor’s prerogative, but the patient’s as well. The person in treatment feels that he is also a dynamic figure, indispensable for the healing work and the attainment of a higher quality of life.
The Physician's Unconscious Feelings
The patient's feelings towards the doctor are a common source of "resistance" in complying with the prescribed treatment. The client not only reacts to who the physician is, but also to what the doctor symbolizes in the patient's unconscious world.
Communication Skills
Communication among people is often impaired. The doctor-patient relationship involves peculiar aspects that make communication even more difficult. The patient tends to see the physicians as a charismatic figure from whom he expects "magic solutions" or at least a message of hope that "everything will be solved or remedied."