In this month’s Chief Medical Editor’s Message on page 7, Dr. Steve Feldman writes about his experience with his personal trainer and what his trainer does to make sure his weekly appointment is a positive experience. The key to Steve’s satisfaction is the interpersonal service — how his trainer is totally focused on him and his progress during his alloted appointment. Steve points out in his editorial that he believes that beyond accurate diagnosis and treatment, the key to good medical care is being “warm, enthusiastic and encouraging” to patients. Editing this month’s issue, I noticed that several of the articles touch on this issue.
ENCOURAGING TRUST
In their article, “Warts and Molluscum — Diagnosis and Treatment,” Yvonne Clark, PA-C, and Magdalene Dohil, MD, offer great tips on the medical management of these conditions. But beyond that, they offer advice on working with pediatric patients and how to address the parents’ concerns. They recommend being honest with patients about procedures — including letting them know if something may hurt — to build trust. The authors support education of patients and their families. They write, “Answer all their questions; even if this is your 5th wart or molluscum of the day, it is their first visit. Acknowledge the frustration of family members and involve them in the choice of possible treatment options, and then assure follow through.” For more on this topic, turn to page 30. In her article, “Female Hair Loss on the Front-Vertex Scalp,” Dr. Amy McMichael provides a practical guide to diagnosis and treatment. According to Dr. McMichael, because diagnosis can be complicated, “...it is important to carefully document the medical history of the patient, the specific concerns of the patient, the expectations of the patient, and the treatments that may best fit the lifestyle and diagnosis of the patient.” Getting a pertinent hair loss history from the patient is an extremely important step, but because there may be several contributing factors, she suggests using a “yes/no” questionnaire that is easy for the patient to fill out and addresses the history the doctor needs most to diagnose the likely cause of the patient’s hair loss. This article also discusses the need to have regular appointments with patients throughout the beginning of treatment because hair regrowth can be slow and patients may need their doctor’s support to know that their prescribed treatment is working. Read the complete article, which begins on page 36. Do you have any tips for making your patients feel special? E-mail me.
In this month’s Chief Medical Editor’s Message on page 7, Dr. Steve Feldman writes about his experience with his personal trainer and what his trainer does to make sure his weekly appointment is a positive experience. The key to Steve’s satisfaction is the interpersonal service — how his trainer is totally focused on him and his progress during his alloted appointment. Steve points out in his editorial that he believes that beyond accurate diagnosis and treatment, the key to good medical care is being “warm, enthusiastic and encouraging” to patients. Editing this month’s issue, I noticed that several of the articles touch on this issue.
ENCOURAGING TRUST
In their article, “Warts and Molluscum — Diagnosis and Treatment,” Yvonne Clark, PA-C, and Magdalene Dohil, MD, offer great tips on the medical management of these conditions. But beyond that, they offer advice on working with pediatric patients and how to address the parents’ concerns. They recommend being honest with patients about procedures — including letting them know if something may hurt — to build trust. The authors support education of patients and their families. They write, “Answer all their questions; even if this is your 5th wart or molluscum of the day, it is their first visit. Acknowledge the frustration of family members and involve them in the choice of possible treatment options, and then assure follow through.” For more on this topic, turn to page 30. In her article, “Female Hair Loss on the Front-Vertex Scalp,” Dr. Amy McMichael provides a practical guide to diagnosis and treatment. According to Dr. McMichael, because diagnosis can be complicated, “...it is important to carefully document the medical history of the patient, the specific concerns of the patient, the expectations of the patient, and the treatments that may best fit the lifestyle and diagnosis of the patient.” Getting a pertinent hair loss history from the patient is an extremely important step, but because there may be several contributing factors, she suggests using a “yes/no” questionnaire that is easy for the patient to fill out and addresses the history the doctor needs most to diagnose the likely cause of the patient’s hair loss. This article also discusses the need to have regular appointments with patients throughout the beginning of treatment because hair regrowth can be slow and patients may need their doctor’s support to know that their prescribed treatment is working. Read the complete article, which begins on page 36. Do you have any tips for making your patients feel special? E-mail me.
In this month’s Chief Medical Editor’s Message on page 7, Dr. Steve Feldman writes about his experience with his personal trainer and what his trainer does to make sure his weekly appointment is a positive experience. The key to Steve’s satisfaction is the interpersonal service — how his trainer is totally focused on him and his progress during his alloted appointment. Steve points out in his editorial that he believes that beyond accurate diagnosis and treatment, the key to good medical care is being “warm, enthusiastic and encouraging” to patients. Editing this month’s issue, I noticed that several of the articles touch on this issue.
ENCOURAGING TRUST
In their article, “Warts and Molluscum — Diagnosis and Treatment,” Yvonne Clark, PA-C, and Magdalene Dohil, MD, offer great tips on the medical management of these conditions. But beyond that, they offer advice on working with pediatric patients and how to address the parents’ concerns. They recommend being honest with patients about procedures — including letting them know if something may hurt — to build trust. The authors support education of patients and their families. They write, “Answer all their questions; even if this is your 5th wart or molluscum of the day, it is their first visit. Acknowledge the frustration of family members and involve them in the choice of possible treatment options, and then assure follow through.” For more on this topic, turn to page 30. In her article, “Female Hair Loss on the Front-Vertex Scalp,” Dr. Amy McMichael provides a practical guide to diagnosis and treatment. According to Dr. McMichael, because diagnosis can be complicated, “...it is important to carefully document the medical history of the patient, the specific concerns of the patient, the expectations of the patient, and the treatments that may best fit the lifestyle and diagnosis of the patient.” Getting a pertinent hair loss history from the patient is an extremely important step, but because there may be several contributing factors, she suggests using a “yes/no” questionnaire that is easy for the patient to fill out and addresses the history the doctor needs most to diagnose the likely cause of the patient’s hair loss. This article also discusses the need to have regular appointments with patients throughout the beginning of treatment because hair regrowth can be slow and patients may need their doctor’s support to know that their prescribed treatment is working. Read the complete article, which begins on page 36. Do you have any tips for making your patients feel special? E-mail me.
