Patient and Practitioner Interaction - Essay Example

?Patient/Practitioner Interaction Patient/Practitioner Interaction [Institute’s Patient/Practitioner Interaction Introduction The patient/practitioner interaction forms the third stage of the treatment of illness. After recognizing the symptoms of a particular illness, the patient seeks the help of healthcare professional, and this becomes the long process to recovery (Gurung, pp. 266, 2006). However, initially, as identified by the study conducted by Safer, Tharps, Jackson, Leventhal (1979), the time of delaying the seeking of medical assistance is the first problem of health services, rather than just improving the interaction between the patient and doctor. As identified by this study, various factors contribute to the delay time, which may include showing up of actual symptoms, the cost of the treatment, and people who had problems in their personal live. This study is important because it should also form the basis of the patient-practitioner interaction, because this will determine the norms and values the patient will carry with himself/herself, when he/she meets the doctor (pp.142). The relationship between these two individuals has a prominent role in health psychology, and is at the heart of hospital settings. This also has a prominent effect on the patient’s response to a particular treatment plan, prescribed by the doctor (Khatoon, pp.294-295, 2012). World Health Organization (1993) considers this relationship to be the cornerstone of efficient medical assistance (Curtis, pp. 71, 2000). However, after the age of mechanization, physicians were trained in such a way that they had minimal interaction with patients (Radcliffe Oxford, pp. 74, n.d). As found out by research, around 60-80 percent of medical diagnosis is based on information, retrieved from the medical interview, and treatment decisions also arise during this interaction. In fact, this relationship is so important that it ranked secondary to family relationships, according to a research on 3,707 patients in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa and Japan (Curtis, pp.72, 2000). Hence, the paper identifies some important problems that may exist in this relationship, and the ways of dealing with these problems. Problems and ways of dealing with them While the technicalities of the case are extremely imperative, the relationship between the patient and the doctor is also important. This may be because practitioners may not be well-versed in addressing problems, which are personal in nature (Kahle, pp.1, n.d). However, there may be problems from both sides, which may hinder the treatment plan of the patient. For example, according to Parson’s analysis, who was the first sociologist to delve into this relationship, if the doctor has some kind of preconceived values, then this may affect the relationship negatively. Some of these values may consider abortion, AIDS, homosexuality and other such morally debated topics (Morgan, pp.52, n.d). Another problem that can come from the doctor’s side is the use of jargon that is complex language, when interacting with the patient. This may occur, when the doctor cannot diagnose the cause of the illness, or it can be an effort to deter the patient from asking too many questions. However, this creates a communication barrier, which means that the patient may feel alienated, and not respond well to the doctor (Curtis, pp. 74, 2000). According to a research carried out by Bourhis, Roth and MacQueen (1989), doctors, nurses and patients were required to complete a questionnaire about the use of medical and general language. While all the groups agreed on the use of general language, doctors used ML to have power and prestige, which is a flaw in the communication. It has been recommended that there should be courses for understanding the reasons behind the motivation to use such language (pp. 136-137). Communication and trust The different models also have a huge impact on the communication between the patient and the doctor. The communication can be bio-medical, in which the doctor will use much medical jargon, which the patient will not be able to understand. Another model, identified as consumerist considers the patient, and he/she is the one doing most of the talking, and getting answers to his/her questions (Gurung, pp. 266, 2006). While there is no denying the fact that the physician’s opinion counts a lot, sometimes, the physician’s expertise need to also include certain priorities, which are based on the patient’s social values, norms and obligations. Therefore, there is a need for a patient-centered model in this relationship. This model seeks to understand the patient from a “biological, psychological, and social perspective”. However, according to a Savage and Armstrong (1990) research, a better outcome occurred, when there was directed model than the sharing model. The directed model ensured that the doctor was explaining the problem, while the patients had their own understanding of the problem. This contradicts the traditional outlook that involving the patient in decision-making is important, and helps with the doctor-patient relationship (pp. 140). However, many patients fail to understand what the doctor tells them. According to a research in Mumbai that although 67 percent of the patients were told of the problem, only 35 percent were told about the treatment properly, and only 28 percent of providers ensured that the patients had understood the problem. These statistics generally translate into poor communication, and can result in non-compliance for the treatment plan on the part of the patients (Khatoon, pp. 298, 2012). Therefore, the above case study has its own flaws, because it is quite old, and had a small sample size of 200. While the directed consultation may have proved effective, but sometimes involving the patient is necessary, because it builds trust. This can vastly be improved by active listening, which means that there is a two-way communication, and that the patient realizes that the doctor is listening, while the patient is talking. This can be made possible, through verbal prompts, for example “I see”, and non-verbal behaviors, as well, such as good eye contact, open posture, not using any distracting behavior, which allows the patient to share information easily. Additionally, the practitioner can ensure that the patient has understood by repeating or reflecting on the pointers that arose within the discussion. Additionally, for better communication, practitioners can also encourage patients to take part in the discussion, and provide more information by using open questions, understanding the patient’s feelings, and showing them and responding appropriately, for example, when an emotional response is needed, providing that (Kahle, pp.1, n.d). According to Goold and Lipkin (n.p, 1997), some good communication can prevent spending unnecessary time to reassure an anxious patient, repeatedly about a certain thing. A patient-centered model of communication will signify that the doctor is complying with his/her duty to respect the patient, as an individual. This will result in informed consent, and the patient will respond positively to the treatment plan (Chin, pp. 580, 2001). Trust remains important in the patient-doctor relationship, because it produces better health outcomes, quality of life for the patient, following of the treatment and the patient satisfaction. If there is no trust, then this will hinder the doctor’s ability to aid the patient (Rivera, Street, Lisseanu, Kallen, Richardson et al, pp. 385, 2006). Trust from the patient’s perspective centers on requiring care, concern and compassion from the doctor. Listening forms one of the most important components; hence communication and trust are interlinked. Trust is generally built through repeated meetings, and if the doctor meets the expectations of the patient (Chin, pp. 580, 2001). Trust in doctors reveal the idea that patients will discuss their problems freely, and the doctors need to ensure that this trust is not destroyed, for example, the patient may not want his/her family to know about the medical condition. The doctor cannot betray confidentiality of the patient. Therefore, trust shapes a major chunk of the relationship between these two individuals. Trust and communication go hand in hand, and listening forms a major chunk of improving this interaction. Patient-practitioner relationship is built over repeated meetings, it is an ongoing process, and is fostered through trust, cooperation and respect on both sides (Bryan, pp.237, 2009). References Bryan, K. 2009. pp. 237. Communication in Healthcare - Karen Bryan - Google Books. Google Books. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=NJNR4RRbr1kC&pg=PA237&dq=trust+in+patient-practitioner+interaction&hl=en&sa=X&ei=5g-yT4mUJ8XEsgaMtcjIBg&ved=0CGQQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=trust%20in%20patient-practitioner%20interaction&f=false Chin, J. J. (2001). Doctor-Patient Relationship: A Covenant of Trust. Singapore medical journal, 42(12), 580. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from http://www.sma.org.sg/smj/4212/4212 Curtis, A. J. 2000. pp.71. Health Psychology . Google Books. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=noeYeOF8Z7MC&pg=PA84&dq=patie Goold, S. D., & Lipkin, M. (1997). The Doctor–Patient Relationship. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles Gurung, R. A. (2006). Health Psychology: A Cultural Approach - Regan . Google Books. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=KURXulf1HncC&pg=PA266&dq=patie Kahle, A. n.d. pp.1. PRACTITIONER/PATIENT INTERACTION: HOW TO AVOID AND RESOLVE CONFLICTS . OANDP Publishing. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from www.oandp.org/publications/jop/2009/2009-20.pdf Khatoon, N. 2012. pp. 294-298. Health Psychology. Google Books. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=GP1_v2K3u8IC&pg=PA295&dq=patient+ Morgan, M. n.d. pp. 52. The Doctor-patient relationship. Faculty.ksu. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from faculty.ksu.edu.sa/nadalyousefi/comm. Rivera, J., Street, R., Suarez-Almazor, M., G, M., Popa-Lisseanu, G., Kallen, M. A., et al. (2006). Trust in Physicians and Elements of the Medical Interaction in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Arthritis & Rheumatism (Arthritis Care & Research), 55(3), 385. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from http://rst-houston.com/files/Trust_in_Physicians_ The Patient–Practitioner Relationship. n.d. pp. 74. Radcliffe Oxford. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from www.radcliffe-oxford.com/books/samplechapter/1939/Engel_Chpt%2003-7bc18c00rdz.pdf Read More