Five Ways to Connect With Patients

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Being a patient can feel like a lonely experience, especially when you sense your doctor is disconnected. A rushed or disengaged interaction can leave patients feeling unheard and uncared for, no matter how clinically skilled the physician is. At the same time, doctors struggle with overwhelming workloads, which can lead to unintentional detachment from those they treat.

In this episode, we explore five ways to build connection in the exam room quickly, why small gestures matter, and how intentional preparation can change the entire dynamic. Finally, we dive into the emotional complexities of patient care and the essential role of listening and presence in preventing burnout. Our conversation centers around the ‘Presence 5 Practices’ from this article.

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Guest Bio: Clay Smith, MD, is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt University. He is triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Pediatrics and the founder of JournalFeed, which provides concise, daily summaries of top medical journal articles.

We Discuss:

• The Disconnect Between Patients and Physicians
• Why Genuine Doctor-Patient Connections Matter More Than You Think
• Easing Patient Anxiety and Shame
• The Impact of Preparation and Focus on Patient Care
• Listening Intently and Completely
• Aligning Care with Patient Priorities
• Building Trust by Connecting with the Patient's Story
• Understanding Emotional Cues
• The Delicate Balance of Antibiotic Stewardship
• Understanding Fear Behind Patient Anger

Mentioned in this episode:

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5 Free Tools To Make Medical Practice Easier

Scripts for your least favorite conversations. The quick and dirty guide to calling consults. A 10-minute "Driveway Debrief" to switch off from work. My favorite documentation templates. Step-by-step guide for delivering the news of death.

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