Communication between a doctor and a patient - Essay Example

Introduction Communication is imperative in facilitating health relationship between patients and medical practitioners. This involves demonstration of empathy on the part of doctors. Through this, they understand what patients go through and treat them with respect. Emotional intelligence is imperative if proper communication and treatment of patients is to be achieved. Communicating properly with patients and disclosing all information facilitates informed decision-making. It is unethical for a medical practitioner to purport to carry a medical procedure without competence and experience. Making referral under this condition is important. Communication between a doctor and a patient Communication is an imperative component of the relationship between patients and physicians1. Information passes from one individual to another through the process. Healthy communication facilitates emotional assessment of patients A good communication must ensure there is feedback from either of the two parties. Flow of information facilitates good communication with patients. There are various factors, which ensure good communication between patients and physician. They include: Emotional intelligence This refers to the process of detecting, assessing, and controlling one’s emotional status. It is imperative that a physician achieve emotional stability to deal objectively with clients. Depending on what they are ailing from, some patients may appear nagging or behave in unpleasant manner, which may affect the relationship between the two. However, the doctors should always be prepared to deal with patients in a friendly and indiscriminately manner regardless of their behavior2. This is not possible if physicians are not able to control their emotions and remain objective as they provide services to clients. Where physicians appear unwilling to understand the plight of patients, communication problems may arise. Use friendly language Though physicians use their special language of communication, it is also important to use a language, which patients can understand. Communication is only complete when the patients are able to understand the information received. Physicians should interpret to clients some of the prescriptions or statements, which seem technical. When doing this, patience on the part of the physicians is vital. They should not work under the assumptions that all patients can understand even what seem to be matters of common sense. It is also important that physicians seek to know whether patients understand their expected duties and responsibilities. some of the patients may feel embarrassed or fear to ask questions even when they are not sure of what is expected from them. It is for this purpose that physicians should seek to ensure that proper communication is taking place. Show empathy Physicians identify with the emotional or psychological status of patients through this process. Empathy is vital since it allows a physician to understand exactly what the patients are going through3. It is therefore important that physicians put themselves in the position of patients and ask themselves how they would feel or behave. Through this psychological process, doctors are able to treat patients in a humane manner as stipulated within the ethical principles. However, physicians should differentiate between empathy and sympathy. The latter refers to feeling pity for someone misfortunes. This may make physicians become subjective or suffer from burnout. They should be empathic but remain stable to offer the needed services objectively. Empathy fosters good communication between the two parties. Avoid interrupting or expressing negative attitudes towards patients Due to the amount of work that physicians have, disruption of communication between them and patients may be common. They may interrupt the patients and require them to ask as few questions as possible. This is especially in health institutions with few physicians attending to large number of patients. It is imperative to deal with one patient at a time and ensure that they receive the kind of assistance needed. Some physicians may have negative attitudes towards patients, attributed to poor communication. How one treats, patients will depend on how they evaluate such individuals. Issues such as ethnicity, racism, and stereotypes have also a big impact on communication. Physicians must ensure equality to all patients regardless of their cultural and socioeconomic background. What is consent and how do you obtain it Informed consent is vital since it is an indication that patients have agreed to undergo a certain medical procedure or given physicians the prerogative to disclose certain information. It the process by which patients agree to undergo certain medical procedures and bear the liabilities of what may occur eventually. However, it is a requirement that such patients should make the informed decisions based on the information provided to them. The physicians must be willing to present the following information before patients can sign a consent form: The patient’s diagnosis Obtaining a good consent happens when patients receive information about their diagnosis4. Physicians need to be exact on what the patients are ailing instead of keeping them in darkness. Sometimes physicians may fail to provide such information for fear of how such individuals will act. However, it is the right of patient to know regardless of how serious the situation is. Nature and purpose of proposed treatment Patients need to know what the treatment procedure will be like. They get a chance to ask as many questions as they can to make informed decision. After listening, they can make a decision on whether to agree to undergo a given procedure or not. For instance, the procedure may involve the need for a surgery. They need to make a decision knowing that this procedure is dependent on probability of either making it or not. Information on risks of a given procedure or treatment Physicians need to be explicit on matters of risks, which may be occurring because of certain medication or treatment procedures5. For instance, certain medication when taken may cause someone to experience emotional instability, nausea, and unpleasant feelings. In the event of any form of surgery, it is imperative to inform patients that they have a chance of either making it or not. This is especially if a major one is involved. Patients know that by agreeing to undergo such a procedure, they are ready to take any liabilities. Information about any alternative treatment methods and their risk factors At times, there could be more alternative methods, which offer treatment. For instance, a patient may take medication or receive injections. The physician must be very categorical on the risks and benefits of each of these alternatives. This provides patients with an opportunity of making an informed decision and taking responsibility of their choices. Information on risks of not undergoing treatment procedures Due to the risks involved in certain treatment procedures coupled by various cultural beliefs, some patients may refuse to undergo stipulated procedures6. For instance, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation may get devastating effects afterwards. Nevertheless, failure to go through these procedures may be life threatening. It is imperative that doctors become open and inform them of what may happen to them for failing to follow the treatment procedures. Following all the above medical procedures leads to a more reliable and valid consent from patients. For the patients to make informed decisions, providing them with necessary information is imperative. It is also imperative that patients are given the prerogative tom make their own choices regarding treatment. Though doctors have the responsibility of treating them, obtaining consent before certain treatment procedures becomes mandatory7. Are you competent to carry out the treatment procedure? I am competent to carry out the proposed procedures based on the knowledge acquired and experience. I have covered all the information needed to carry out the procedure and therefore consider myself competent. Secondly, I have been in a medical setting where I was able to put my theory into practice. I have carried the procedures before under the supervision of a qualified medical doctor. I also understand the ethical considerations, which ensure good relationship with the patients. However, I must say that I still need assistance from a qualified physician to assist me in case of any anomalies. Medical equipments and support needed Appropriate medical equipment facilitates proper oral surgery. They include the following: a) Extraction forceps – 222 mandibular third molars Equipment designed to extract teeth from the born sockets. b) Extraction forceps – maxillary overlapping anterior Equipment used to remove teeth from the bone sockets. In addition to that, it removes any tooth fragments, which may be present. c) Tissue forceps – Allison Used for grasping as well as stabilizing any soft tissues during suturing procedures. This may include gingival grafting. d) Surgical Aspirating tip – Frazier A tool facilitates clearing of a working field through the removal of saliva, any blood, or debris. e) Tongue and cheek retractor A tool is to hold the tongue and cheeks away to allow surgery to take place effectively. f) Tissue Scissors Used for cutting or removing any infected tissues to allow for surgery. In order to make this process a success, a dentist needs assistance. Some of the assistance will include workstation preparations. The assistants will perform sterilization of the equipment8. Secondly, he/she will ensure that all needed equipments are availed. Thirdly, an assistant may also perform the duty of educating the patients on the post-surgery care9. Apart from workstation preparation, the assistant will also be required to prepare the patients psychologically prior performing procedures. This will for instance include guiding patients to the chair from where all the surgical work will take place. They may be encouraged as a way of making allaying fear or any kind of anxiety10. Thirdly, during performing the procedures, an assistant may assist in ensuring that the patient is comfortable while dentist is working. They may also present the type of equipment required at any given time. He/she is also supposed to identify any problem, which may arise and notify the dentist accordingly. In addition to that, an assistant could also help in preparing any dosages and especially anesthesia used in numbing areas undergoing operation11. Finally, an assistant may offer support in terms of post-treatment care. This will involve talking to client about the kind of medication that will be required. Secondly, they ensure that all the used equipment have been sterilized and returned to their normal place. In case of any appointment with the client, the assistant may ensure such kind of communication. Oral risk management procedures A medical practitioner aims at reducing any harm on patients through offering quality health care services through this process. Proper communication and documentation are some of the most important risk management strategies. Through communicating, one is able to understand the medical history of the patient in matters relating to oral complications12. This makes it possible for such individuals to offer the most reliable treatment, which will not resort in any future problems. Documentation on the other hand is imperative in order to keep the history of patients13. It becomes much easier for a medical practitioner to retrieve such information in future if a patient gets worse or visits again. Thirdly, it is vital to ensure that the patients are educated on post-treatment procedures to ensure that they heal14. They get information of all the risks that might ensure if they do not follow the correct procedures of treatment. In case of any post treatment complications, patients ought to return to the hospital before things become unmanageable. It is also important to ensure follow up with the patient in order to assess the situation and give any help needed. Finally, a medical practitioner must ensure that they are competent enough to perform the procedures15. It is unethical for any dentist to purport that they can perform procedures knowing well that they do not have the required experience and knowledge16. If one cannot make it, the best thing would be to refer the patient to other competent medical personnel. Guidelines for the surgical oral treatment Before carrying out any treatment procedures, proper medical procedures become imperative. This is important in order to establish the actual problem the patient is suffering from. The following basic procedures are vital 1. Diagnosis/evaluation These processes are establishing the kind of oral problem a patient is suffering from. To establish this, visual exams, qualified medical practitioners perform plaque and calculus assessment17. The results are discussed with the patients before moving to the next stage. 2. Treatment/management After establishing what the client may be suffering from, it is imperative to offer the kind of treatment that is appropriate for the problem. This may include referral for periodontal surgery, scaling and root planing, fluoride therapy and other forms18. It is at this stage that communication with the patients is vital. They need to know the benefits and risks associated with any of the treatment procedures. Apart from that, patients need to receive oral hygiene instructions especially for post-treatment purposes. This enables them to manage themselves in their healing process. There are three major concerns in this stage: need for consent from patients, effectiveness of the treatment and the need to refer patients19. The former is done in order to get permission from the patients to perform procedures. The doctor may also assess the situation in order to see whether the treatment procedures have any significance as far as treatment is concerned20. Finally, if the medical practitioner is not competent to perform certain procedures, patients are referred to dentists that are more competent. References American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Sedation and Monitoring of Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Procedures. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Volume 42, Number 6. 2008 American Society of Anesthesiologists. (1996) Practice Guidelines for sedation and analgesia by non-anesthesiologists. Anesthesiology, 84, 459-71. Brody, Baruch A. Life, and Death Decision Making. New York: Oxford University Press. 1999 Coulthard P et al.Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Radiology, Pathology and Medicine (2008) Churchill Livingstone Decker Mitchell DA. 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Dictionary of Ohio Historic Places. Vol. 2. St. Clair Shores: Somerset, 1999, 1217-1218. Pedlar J & Frame JW. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. An Objective Based Textbook (2007) Churchill Livingstone Sherwin, Susan. No Longer Patient: Feminist Ethics and Health Care. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. 1999 The World Oral Health Report continuous improvement of oral health in the 21st century – the approach of the WHO Global Oral Health Programmed 2003 The Hastings Center's Bibliography of Ethics, Biomedicine, and Professional Responsibility. 2000 Whaites E. Essentials of Dental Radiography and Radiology (2006) Churchill Livingstone Zadik Yehuda, Levin Liran. "Clinical decision making in restorative dentistry, endodontic, and antibiotic prescription". J Dent Educ 72 (1): 81–6. 2008 Zadik Yehuda, Levin Liran. 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