Working in the medical field can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it can also be stressful, especially when dealing with challenging patients, says the attending physician Dr Lou Hampers.
Whether it’s a patient who refuses to follow Lou Hampers advice or one who is uncooperative during an exam, it’s important to have strategies in place to ensure that you are able to manage these situations without escalating them. Let’s take a look at some effective strategies for dealing with challenging patients.
Remain Professional and Respectful
One of the most important things you can do when dealing with a difficult patient is to remain professional and respectful at all times. This means avoiding any arguments or heated debates, even if the patient becomes agitated or confrontational.
Remaining calm and composed in the face of adversity is key here—it shows that you are in control of the situation and will help to defuse any tension. Additionally, it’s important to be mindful of your body language and facial expressions, as these can often reveal more than words alone.
Focus on Solutions Rather Than Problems
It can be easy to get bogged down by the problems that your patient is facing, but it’s much more productive (and less stressful) to focus on solutions instead.
Make sure that you have a clear understanding of what your patient wants from their care before moving forward with any plan of action—this will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards achieving a common goal. It also gives you an opportunity to offer alternative solutions if necessary.
Conclusion:
Working with challenging patients doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming—by remaining professional and respectful, focusing on solutions rather than problems, and being prepared for potential challenges ahead of time, you can make sure that both you and your patients are getting what they need from every appointment.
Remember, communication is key here—the more open and honest dialogue there is between yourself and your patient, the better off everyone will be in the long run!
