How A Doctor’s Perception of Patients Can Impact Patient Satisfaction
Some doctors only focus on a patient’s physical health, but physicians need to pay attention to more than the physical needs of a patient. Providing care to patients is not just about why they are visiting the care center; it also deals with nurturing the patient as well. This is especially important because patient satisfaction is playing a bigger role in the medical industry.
- Setting a time marker in each room that will tell nurses and doctors how long a patient has been waiting. This allows the care representative to apologize and be specific.
- Spreading the preliminary checks to reduce wait time. Check blood pressure first; then have them wait to check weight and measurements. Breaking up preliminary checks makes patients believe that their visit is moving along.
- Have care representatives constantly check in with patients waiting to update them on what is keeping the doctor.
Patients Like a Pleasant Environment You might think this makes your patients seem picky, but you have to put yourself in the position of a patient who is feeling sick or nervous and is waiting to be cared for. This patient might become irritable for any number of reasons, including the environment of the hospital and the message it communicates to them.
- When speaking with a patient, hold eye contact 50% of the time. When listening, maintain eye contact 70% of the time.
- Instead of standing over a patient, put yourself on their level. Sit in a chair across from the patient, so that the two of you are eye to eye.
- Maintain a relaxed posture, but sit up with your head tall and shoulders back. Lean slightly forward so as to convey an interest in what the patient has to say.
Many surveys have shown that a care center’s environment impacts a patient’s perception of the facility. This is why upgrading the care center with up-to-date amenities like televisions or even games for the kids might be a good idea. It is important to keep the floors and doors clean to keep up appearances. Noise is perhaps one of the most stressing problems for patients, which is why you want to use music that is loud enough to muffle out other sounds yet remains pleasant. This could include classical or nature-like sounds to keep the environment pleasant. You can also use natural cleaners, especially if it contains lavender scents since lavender helps reduce anxiety. As you can see, there is much that can be done to improve a patient’s overall perception of you, your staff, and care center as long as you pay attention.
