Having difficult conversations with patients and their family is one of the most challenging yet important responsibilities in healthcare. These conversations can involve topics like delivering bad news, discussing prognosis, setting boundaries, addressing non-compliance, or managing unrealistic expectations.

Here are some steps you can implement to optimize difficult conversations you need to have with your patient.

While most healthcare providers are compassionate and want to provide optimal care to their patients, implicit biases exist. Healthcare providers may not be aware of implicit biases, which may be subtle and unintentional, that can influence clinical interactions, lead to a lack of trust between the patient and the healthcare provider, and result in healthcare disparities.

You strive to provide quality care and good customer service to your patients. But inevitably, you will have a patient or patient’s family member that is not satisfied with the care you (or your staff) provided.

Physician burnout is a long-term stress reaction characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization (indifference toward or detachment from work), and a decreased sense of personal achievement. Physicians are especially prone to burnout with almost half of physicians reporting at least one symptom of burnout.

Causes and Effects of Burnout
Physician burnout not only negatively affects physicians and their families, but it also puts patients at risk. Evidence suggests that physician burnout worsens the quality of patient care, increases the risk of medical errors, and decreases patient satisfaction.

Workplace violence in healthcare settings is on the rise, putting providers at risk physically, emotionally, and legally. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), healthcare workers are five times more likely to experience workplace violence than workers in other industries. For chiropractors, this presents not only a safety concern, but a risk management priority. Implementing strong de-escalation techniques can protect staff, improve patient care, and reduce liability.

The Growing Threat of Workplace Violence in Healthcare
Healthcare environments are particularly vulnerable to aggression and violence. Contributing factors may include:

To have a thriving practice, you must have patients. While it is great to get new patients, it is important to focus on retaining established patients, too. If you create loyal patients, they not only return to your office for appointments, but they promote your practice to their friends and family which is great for business.

All healthcare professionals like to receive positive online reviews. It’s a great way to let people know about you and the exceptional care you provide. Which, in turn, can help send new patients your way. 

In the United States alone, approximately 8.6 million sports-related injuries are reported each year. All types of sports have a potential for injury, whether from the trauma of contact with other players or from overuse or misuse of a body part. By far, the most common injuries are sprains and strains.

As a doctor, you use your knowledge, experience, and medical judgment to determine the best course of treatment for your patient. However, adult patients with decision-making capacity have the right to choose or refuse to follow your treatment plan.

Patients are important for chiropractors. They allow the chiropractor to keep a steady stream of new patients and inject meaning into their practice as they help relieve symptoms for individuals in their community. Of course, patients also keep the clinic running profitably and allow the clinic to expand patient services. Retaining patients is important, too, for gauging success metrics like patient satisfaction and referral sources.