By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    stress management for healthcare workers
    3 Tips For Healthcare Professionals: How To Stay Beautiful, Healthy, and Happy
    November 2, 2021
    importance of relaxing on the weekend for your health
    Importance of Relaxing During the Weekend for Optimal Health
    March 25, 2022
    LASIK Eye Surgery
    What Is LASIK Eye Surgery?
    May 16, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    The PCMH and Home Care Data: An Interview with Melissa McCormack
    December 19, 2013
    IT Strategy for Health Plans: Interview with ikaSystems CEO Joe Marabito
    August 11, 2014
    A New Kind of Stress Test
    May 26, 2015
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Why Doctors Need To Listen To And Understand The Patient’s “Perspectives” – A True Story
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Business > Hospital Administration > Why Doctors Need To Listen To And Understand The Patient’s “Perspectives” – A True Story
Hospital AdministrationWellness

Why Doctors Need To Listen To And Understand The Patient’s “Perspectives” – A True Story

Steve Wilkins
Steve Wilkins
Share
8 Min Read
Definition of Listening
SHARE

Perhaps the most fundamental principle of “patient-centered care” is for clinicians to understand the patient’s perspective regarding key aspects of a care episode.

Contents
What Am I Trying To SayMy Point?The Take Away?Sources:

Here’s a real life example that just happened to my wife and I that should help you understand what the patient’s perspective is…and why it matters.

Perhaps the most fundamental principle of “patient-centered care” is for clinicians to understand the patient’s perspective regarding key aspects of a care episode.

Here’s a real life example that just happened to my wife and I that should help you understand what the patient’s perspective is…and why it matters.

More Read

No, This isn’t a Hotel
5 Ways a Bad Mattress Negatively Affects Your Health
HIPAA Not an Excuse for Lack of Innovation in Hospitals and Clinics
Can Mindfulness Improve the Odds of Recovering from Cancer?
Telemedicine: Endless Possibilities for Hospital Marketers

Definition of ListeningFor the past week my wife, who is being treated for severe recurrence of lung cancer, has developed fever and chills which present in the early evening.  I notified her Oncologist when the fevers first started.  Upon my wife’s suggestion (she is an RM) a urine sample was taken and evaluated.   She had a UTI and was put on antibiotics.  But the fever (and infection) continued.   Each episode begins with a fever and progresses to chills, coughing, vomiting and disorientation. The episodes last for an hour and then goes away after which my wife sleeps and is fine. That was until yesterday …

Yesterday, while in her oncologist’s office, the fever and chills set in very fast. I did what I could to keep her warm (which is impossible in any doctor’s office) and reassure the staff that this was a “syndrome” she experienced every day presumably as the result of a recent urinary tract infections. The doctor and staff would have none of my explanation …they said she need to go to the ER immediately.  I said “if I take her to the ER she will die … and that I would take her home instead and let the fever run its’ course” as it had up until then.

I tried to explain to the Oncologist that on 3 prior occasions when I took my wife to an ER (in a different town for other reasons) the ER doctors wanted to re-diagnose my wife’s cancer … or worse … diagnose her as being septic and having pneumonia (when she wasn’t and didn’t).   Turns out my wife’s symptoms and chest X-rays mimic those of sepsis and pneumonia.  I was afraid it would happen again if we did what the Oncologist said.  I asked the Oncologist to call the ER and give them a heads up concerning my wife’s condition and a working diagnosis.

He wouldn’t do it.  He wanted the ER to do a diagnostic work up of my wife.  In my mind this confirmed in my mind  that if we went to the ER it would be another nightmare.

What Am I Trying To Say

As my wife’s caregiver, I had a very definite, unmistakable reaction to the doctor’s recommendation that my wife be taken to the ER.  My reaction was based upon my prior ER experiences with my wife – bad experiences which began with a misdiagnosis in the ER, unquestioning acceptance of the diagnosis by hospitalists, followed by the incorrect treatment, intervention by specialists and extended hospital stays.

My reaction was to blow off the Oncologists advice.  He didn’t seem to hear me when I described how my wife’s fever came and went.  I just got the sense that the doctor want scared and wanted us out of his office.   The Oncologist did not want to hear about our previous ER experiences.  He just wanted me to do what I was told.  This doctor has a strong ego and is definitely physician-centered (versus patient centered).

Luckily I took my wife to the ER.  She had a BP of 60/40 and a temperature of 105O.  She was later admitted to the ICU with sepsis caused by an infection.

My Point?

The point of this story is that if the Oncologist took the time to listen to “our story” concerning our previous ER experiences (our health perspective) he would have better understood why I reacted to his advice the way I did.  Had he listened to and understood our story maybe he would have called the ER doctor to give him some “back story” on my wife. But he didn’t … he wouldn’t and that cause me to distrust him and his clinical advice.

Had the Oncologist even told us that my wife had a temperature of 105O or a very low BP I would have done what he recommended. But he didn’t …and I was too stressed to ask.

I’ll bet our experience is like those of many patients and family members today.

The Take Away?

I know I sound like a broken record but the solution is for physicians to become more patient-centered.  This means learning how to think about patients differently … and in turn how to talk with patient differently.

Specifically it means understanding where their patients (and family members) are coming from.  In my case, by understanding that we all come with “baggage” that shapes how we think and behave.  My comment to the effect that “if I take my wife to the ER she will die” should have promoted a “why do you say that?” comment from my wife’s Oncologist.   But that never happened and I am sure the doctor thinks I am a total moron.

I learned an important lesson as well.   Usually physicians do know what’s in the patient’s best interest.  I learned that sometime its’ better to compliant and alive than disagreeable and dead.

It’s just seems however that there has to be a better, win-win scenario than patients always needing to “go along to get along.”

Sources:

Jagosh, J., Donald, J., Steinert, Y., Ellen, M., & Ingram, L. (2011).  The importance of physician listening from the patients ’ perspective : Enhancing diagnosis , healing , and the doctor – patient relationship. Patient Education and Counseling, 85(3), 369-374. 

The post Why Doctors Need To Listen To And Understand The Patient’s “Perspectives” – A True Story appeared first on Mind The Gap.

Photo via Shutterstock

TAGGED:medical practicespatientsPhysicians
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

9 Lifestyle Tweaks That Can Add Years to Your Life
9 Healthcare Lifestyle Tweaks That can Add Years to Your Life
lifestyle
July 11, 2025
car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025

You Might also Like

Health careWellness

Here Are Top 3 Health Concerns of Aging Parents

August 27, 2018

Hospital Evacuation – it can and does happen!

May 23, 2011
healthy budgeting tips
Home HealthWellness

Essential Budgeting Tips to Safeguard Your Health and Well-Being

February 4, 2021
GeriatricsHome HealthWellness

Living Alone When You’ve Been Diagnosed With Alzheimer’s

November 26, 2018
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?