If either a family member or you have ever been a hospital patient, you understand the importance of good communication with the doctors. You want to be listened to, have things explained in ways you can understand, and be treated with courtesy and respect. Who doesn't? Now, however, patients are rating their doctors' communication skills on the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services' HCAHPS Survey, and the performance is linked to reimbursement.
In this H&HN Daily article by Karen Cook, R.N., Studer Group coach, speaker and co-author of The HCAHPS Handbook, she shares how to get physicians to "Always", including:
- Ensure that physicians treat patients as partners
- Focus on nonverbal communication
- Deal with problematic behaviors
Karen also discusses how to engage physicians, highlights leading practices from several organizations and more.
Read the full article.