How can you ensure that patients feel respected during conversations?

Respect can be defined as "...due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others...." per the Oxford Languages; I'll add "preferences" to that. This requires way more than tactics at the moment of care. I want you to know that genuine respect conveyed to your patient comes from a deep understanding of your role as a healthcare provider to the population you serve within the environment in which you work. It requires cultural, situational, and personal self-awareness to prevent inadvertent harm and avoid missed opportunities to present the best options to your patient. To be successful, you must come prepared and ready. And it's a continuous process.

According to a study published by JGIM, doctors interrupt patients after only 11 seconds of listening, on average. I tested myself to see how much I would be able to say in 11s. I barely got out one and a half complete sentences. I can’t even imagine how a patient trying to share their experience about a symptom or what a previous doctor said or why they think they have a particular condition can put their thoughts together if they were interrupted every 11 seconds. If we want to show respect, we need to listen long enough to actually hear what our patients are saying. This is the only way we can get to a place of mutual agenda sharing for a patient to be more engaged and feel respected.

Active listening is an art and does take intentionality to improve. Limiting distractions such as phones, pagers, watches, etc. can help convey that you are listening and engaged for whatever length of time you have with the patient. Asking open-ended questions allows you to understand the patient's needs, desires and thoughts more clearly without assumption.

I agree! From a patient perspective, I want my care provider to listen to me-to hear about my concerns and fears and to address them not dismiss them. That is respect!

Amongst other things, the following may be considered:- 1. As practicable, discuss choices with the Patient. Ask their opinion and listen to their concerns. Include them in decisions about their care in order to obtain their Consent as "Informed Consent". 2. Before any medical procedure or treatment plan is to be adopted, better is to provide the non-medical explanations the Patients need for understanding. 3. Need to encourage the Patients to raise questions/queries and let them know they are part of medical team in providing treatment. 4. The Patients need to feel that Medical teams are dedicated to improving patient’s quality of life. Medicos need to understand their moral,ethical and professional responsibilities in providing care.

Validating a patient's feelings and experiences is a huge part of building a therapeutic relationship with a provider. Pausing to reflect when appropriate shows kindness and compassion.

As a nurse practitioner, I always thank the patient for their time. I also ask "Do you have any questions for me?" "Is there anything I can bring you before I leave?" Those two questions as I depart really convey the willingness to want to help the patient and connect with them to clear up any discrepancies or offer any further support.