What do you do if a physician is not actively listening during communication?

If I am dealing with a doctor who is not actively listening during communication, I would check to see if they are under high stress, multitasking, or in an environment that is not conducive to good communication. I would try to approach the matter with empathy and patience. I could point out the fact that he seems busy and ask if it would be better to talk at another time when he is less distracted. If, however, the doctor's behavior appears to be persistent or repeated, it would be important to communicate my concerns to the doctor or another member of the medical team.

If a physician seems distracted or overwhelmed, we need to consider the possibility of cognitive fatigue. Proposing a conversation for a later time when they might have fewer distractions could prevent cognitive overload, and could improve the quality and the attention to the discussion.

Indeed, this sentence in the example points to the importance of the subject and the need for an immediate reaction from the doctor, so that he approaches the discussion with directness and care.

I would definitely emphasise the neurological benefits of direct communication, which can help reduce the cognitive effort needed by a physician to understand the context or the importance of the conversation, making the communication more effective.

It is important to remember that doctors are human and make mistakes. If they make a mistake, don't take it personally. Just let them know politely and move on. I personally ask: "Can you tell me what you understood from what I said?" "I'm worried about [symptoms/concerns]. Can you explain more about it?" "I have some questions about [treatment/diagnosis]. Can you answer them?" "I'm not sure I understand. Can you explain it in a different way?" "I feel like you're not listening to me. Can you please give me a little more time?" It's important to be polite and respectful, but also to be clear and assertive about your needs. If you still don't feel like your doctor is listening to you, you can always get a second opinion from another doctor.

To make sure a physician really hears and understands what I’m saying, I like to ask them to repeat back their understanding of the information I’ve shared. This feedback loop is a tactic straight out of cognitive neuroscience - it confirms the message has been received and understood correctly, which is super important in healthcare settings where miscommunication can lead to serious issues.

-Ask questions. This shows that you are active in communication and want to fully understand what your doctor is telling you. - Summarize what he says. This will help you make sure you are hearing him correctly and spot any misunderstandings. -Express your feelings. If you're feeling frustrated or scared, don't be afraid to say so. -Bring someone else with you. It can be helpful to have someone else present to help you support your arguments and remember what was said. -Speak with confidence. Your voice and body language should convey confidence and seriousness.

If my first attempt doesn’t get through, I would try changing up how I’m delivering the message. Eye contact, clear language, and even using my hands can help emphasize what I’m saying. Actually, these non-verbal cues can significantly improve how well the message is received and understood.

If the physician's lack of active listening persists, I would approach the discussion respectfully and focus on the impact of his lack of attention on patient care or team collaboration. For example, I might say something like "I find it difficult to provide effective patient care when our communication is not two-way." Through this approach, I strive to open a dialogue to improve communication and collaboration in the best interest of the patient and the care team.

If communication isn’t improving, I address it directly but gently. This can keep the conversation calm and constructive, opening the door to better understanding and teamwork.

If all previous efforts fail and the doctor is still not actively listening during communication, I would seek support from colleagues or supervisors. I would try to share my concerns with someone who can help with the situation, either mediating to resolve the situation or taking further action if necessary such as reporting to management or even transferring the patient.

Stop And wait for him to finish his task Then speak Use some catchy work Eg. one of my sales rep kept the visual aid upside down, that caught Dr's attention and then the discussion took place

A paradox that caught the attention of a doctor once was when I presented him with an unusual clinical scenario that required thinking outside the usual protocol. This piqued the doctor's curiosity and motivated him to focus more on our conversation.