Page 49 - APP Collaboration - Assessing the Risk (Part One)

SVMIC Advanced Practice Provider Collaboration: Assessing the Risk

Achieving Patient Adherence Begins with Good

Communication

Asking open ended questions allows patients to tell their stories,
lets them express concerns, and creates meaningful dialogue.

The patient-centered encounter, utilizing shared decision-
making, not only meets expectations, but it may also reap

other benefits including adherence to the plan and a patient’s
willingness to call back for questions or clarification, leading to

better outcomes.

Consider providing the patient with a clinical or visit summary,

much like a hospital discharge summary that can save time
and reduce miscommunication about follow-up instructions.

Document any education materials provided to the patient.
Carefully document your discharge instructions, noting the

communication processes employed to establish patient
understanding. This could include a post-encounter visit

summary, techniques such as “read-back”, and instructions
given to those accompanying the patient. Include the main

points discussed during the encounter, as well as the specific
warning symptoms that should provoke a follow-up contact.

Utilizing a standardized format or template to convey the
key points from the visit or hospitalization can improve

documentation.

Sit down with the patient (and caretakers if applicable) and
review the treatment plan. Ask the patient to verbally recount

the instructions. This is also known as the “teach-back” method.
It allows you to determine if the patient is on the right track and

understands the instructions before leaving the office. It can

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