Page 8 - I AM+ 5 katern English

You can influence the consultation significantly
Dr Myra van den Goor has worked for years as as as a a a a a a a a a a a family doctor doctor She got her doctorate last year year she demonstrates in in her dissertation that doctors achieve optimal performance by being friendly and enthusiastic: ‘For doctors contact with patients patients is at at at the the core of of their profession: many patients patients don’t realise that ’ As a a a family doctor I thought the best part
of of my profession was contact with patients What What worries patients? What What do they find complicated? Many of my consultations were recorded on video during my training as a a a family doctor I I really hated that but I I learned a a a lot from it For example that I shouldn’t stare at my computer screen the whole time without saying anything ’ Vulnerable
‘I was hospitalised once during that training It It was really strange to be a a a a a patient It It struck me how vulnerable I felt even with all that knowledge Only then did it occur to me how disturbing it could be if during a ten-minute consultation the doctor took several non-ur- gent phone calls I thought there must be other ways of operating ’ Friendly and enthusiastic ‘Of course it’s great for a a a doctor to to make the right diagnosis but I was especially happy when patients felt they had my full attention Patients feel you understand them and and leave feeling satisfied I have become increasingly interested in in what motivates doctors and how they can get the the the most out of themselves and their team I try to encourage friendliness and enthusiasm in doctors so that they can flourish in their work and give patients the the best care possible ’ Thriving
‘These days it seems that only doctors who follow rules and guidelines are providing good care But my research shows that a a a a person’s motives and values are more likely to determine whether they thrive as healthcare providers For example people become HIV practitioners or HIV nurses to help others:
to do work that matters As a a a a patient you may not not notice this all the time: sometimes the doctor doesn’t have much time for you I interviewed hundreds of doctors for my dissertation and it became very clear: helping others is what doctors do do ’ Influence
‘Patients can influence the consultation signi- ficantly
Many people don’t realise that Just think what you you can do yourself to get a a a good consultation I I have plenty of suggestions It starts with preparing for the consultation:
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