If you’re in the hospital or a private clinic for whatever reason, odds are that you’re undergoing a stressful time. Perhaps you have come down with an illness or injury, or you are helping a friend or family member having this same experience. While medical professionals are absolutely noble and admirable in their pursuits, we know that they would not take it to heart if we suggested we would never like to see them again in a situation that required it.
However, as medical professionals always wish to give a worthwhile level of care, they may find that doing so with anxious or heavily worried patients can be a difficult process. While they have the training to this end and are not there to help you feel completely comfortable but rather to help you heal and potentially prevent life-changing health matters, we think that exploring how clinicians of all kinds can help their patients feel less anxious is important.
After all, the perspective of the patient is not always something to be thrown out, even if the expertise of the clinician always holds the most importance:
Calming Explanations
A calming explanation can truly calm the nerves of any unsettled patient. For example, it might be that explaining how a piece of equipment is to be used, such as those from Medtronic.com, will help you establish more of a trusting relationship with the patient and can prevent you from forcing things they do not understand upon them. Although they know every decision you make is the right one, a little assurance in this direction can be essential. There’s nothing worse than a medical professional who keeps you in the dark.
A Friendly Approach
Doctors and medical professional are never there to become friends, but it’s always nice if they have somewhat of an approachable demeanor while we are in this vulnerable state. A completely impartial professional (although to some extent they have to be) can sometimes feel a little alienating, and can leave us feeling as though our issues are worse than they are. That being said, it’s also very important to:
Never Sugarcoat
Never sugarcoating news, good or bad, can be important for a patient to feel that nothing is being held from them. Of course, there’s a way to tell bad news and a way to frustrate it, but for the most part it’s always better to be in the know. It might be that a procedure will hurt, or that we will struggle to be mobile for a couple of months, or a range of other issues we may experience. Sometimes a fear of the unknown can be so much worse than knowing exactly what the issue is. Additionally, being directed to educational resources can help someone learn how to live and practice self-care with this in mind. That’s an important thing to gift your patient in addition to your healthcare.
With these tips, you’re certain to see how medical professionals can soothe anxious patients well.
