improving patient communication

You'll see more focus on improving patient communication.
Nearly half of patients struggle to read or understand pharmacy labels, handouts, etc. This decreases adherence...and increases med errors, hospitalizations, and costs.
In fact, Medicare now asks patients to grade the communication they get in the hospital...and posts this on their website.
Communicating effectively improves outcomes and builds good rapport.
Listen and focus on the patient. They will be more willing to ask questions...and your info will be specific for them.
Don't try to counsel patients who are on their cell phone. They'll be distracted and you could be violating HIPAA policies.
Avoid medical jargon. Use simple words they'll understand...kidney instead of renal...approve instead of prior auth.
Ask open-ended questions. These require more than a "yes" or "no" answer. For example ask, "How do you take your medication?" instead of "Do you know how to take your medication?"
Have patients repeat info back to you. This is the single best way to know what patients understand...and what they don't.
Use handouts patients can understand. Use ones with pictures if patients have limited reading or comprehension skills...or ones in an appropriate language if they don't speak English. Feel free to use our Spanish PL Patient Handouts.
Get our new CE, Communication Skills for Effective Patient Counseling, for other tips, such as communicating with the elderly or hard of hearing, how to use nonverbal communication, etc.

• Other: Communication Skills for Effective Patient Counseling