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How to Handle Difficult Patients and De-Escalate Tense Situations

Smitha Gopal

on

Patient Engagement

Empathy, listening, and education can help

Tense situations and difficult doctor-patient encounters are, unfortunately, not uncommon in health care settings. When patients who are afraid or frustrated interact with medical providers who are tired, overworked, or burned out, the outcome can be unpleasant—and can even lead to malpractice lawsuits or violence. It’s imperative that doctors and staff learn to manage common situations that can arise in any practice. Here are a few examples, from mild to serious, that can frequently occur between doctors and patients. Read More

Best Practices for Pediatric Tonsillectomies

Katie Moyer

on

Patient Engagement

Updated guideline offers recommendations for patient education, pain meds, and more

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in the U.S. The most recent data show that 289,000 ambulatory procedures are performed annually in children age 15 and younger. The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNS) has released a 2019 guideline update on Tonsillectomy in Children. Read More

Prepare Patients for Allergy Season

Katie Moyer

on

Patient Engagement

Bring patients to your practice with proactive patient education about allergy testing and new treatments

It’s almost upon us—that time of year when more than 50 million Americans suffer through their days with tissues and Benadryl at the ready: spring allergy season. Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. with an annual cost in excess of $18 billion, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Read More

How to Measure Patient Satisfaction in Your Practice

Katie Moyer

on

Patient Engagement, Practice Management

Are online reviews, surveys, or other methods the best way to gather feedback?

What’s the best way to tell whether patients are satisfied with your practice? Positive online reviews? Lots of new patients requesting appointments? Good patient satisfaction survey scores? There are many ways to gather patient feedback. Here are some guidelines for how to approach the important issue of patient satisfaction—and a surprising factor you may be overlooking.Read More

Tips for Helping Your Patients Manage Tinnitus

Katie Moyer

on

Patient Engagement

Education is the key to dealing with this common but misunderstood condition

Nearly 50 million Americans have experienced tinnitus. Commonly described as ringing in the ears, it is defined by the American Tinnitus Association (ATA) as the perception of sound—including buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing, and clicking—where no external source of noise is present. Tinnitus, while common, varies so much from person to person that it is often misunderstood, by patients and doctors alike.Read More

Helping Patients Understand the Cost of Their Care

Brad Sopher

on

Patient Engagement

Doctors must offer awareness, education, and even financing options

Talking about money can be awkward—particularly for doctors and patients discussing the cost of health care. Whether due to ignorance, embarrassment, or other factors, people who wouldn’t think twice about asking the price of a product in a store or comparing car prices on the internet can clam up in health care settings. But if patients don’t know how much a treatment or procedure will cost them, or what the payoff will be, they are unlikely to pursue it. Here’s help for navigating these conversations with patients.Read More