Your patient feels ignored by their healthcare provider. How can you ensure their voice is heard?

Having the right people on a patient’s team is closely tied to successful outcomes. Simply forcing canned education on them without understanding their needs is a recipe for disaster. Ask, pause, listen and create.

Actually I disagree with you. How will you advocate in that direction when coordinated and integrated approach is not acceptable where medical practitioners don't allow the practice of human Biology of life science to attend to the patients. As for me I make private arrangements to attend to patients away from where they are.

I have certainly have noticed a major difference in patient's that feel they are being ignored/not heard/not being treated change their demeanor almost instantly just by simply sitting eye to eye with them and hearing them hash out their frustrations concerns and repeating what they state back to them. So often it is a simple solution to fixing their stay or visit, if only we took the time to actively listen!

In my experience, this can be the greatest barrier to proper care. It is very important to take time before an appointment to write down all symptoms and concerns, and make sure you understand them accurately. Additionally, understand anxieties the patient may have about the upcoming appointment is imperative. Providers will likely only have a few minutes to spend with the patient, and every second is important. Come well prepared to ensure concerns are addressed and needs are met!

Reflect back what is relayed. Patients (and Colleagues) will feel listened to and understood. Then. You can educate if needed and move forward together

Another benefit to good documentation is that it will act as a chronicle for the patient. Imagine the visit where a patient is told they have a terminal diagnosis. If rapport between doctor and patient is poor, and the patient is in shock, the combination may prevent the patient from recalling instructions or advice from the provider. Clear documentation could capture vital information that the patient will need for next steps. This can also capture what is not-said or covered in a visit.

Whenever possible, bring an advocate, family member or friend to all appointments. Besides adequate documentation, having another ear and eye at any and all appointments adds another level of clarity to discussions between provider and patient.

Ask the provider to read their visit notes to you before the visit notes are finalized. The patient's right to accurate documentation in EMR is the most powerful tool in accountability of care. The patient has the right to have their concerns noted in their chart. The patient has the right to view their own records. If a mistake is made in these notes, or an incorrect diagnosis is assigned, it can be very difficult to remove from records. Ask for differential diagnoses to be included in these notes. Additionally, if a test or referral was requested by the patient, and the provider would not oblige, it is equally important for this to be noted.

Though not legally required, providing a Patient Bill of Rights is vital to improving standard of care. Every provider setting should be required to openly display and discuss a Patient Bill of Rights to foster accountability. Without these policies, grey areas can be abundant. Beyond understanding these rights, reporting any violations is crucial to positive change. Each state has distinct protections, and hotlines to report what they consider to be violations. Separately, individual institutions have avenues to report violations of rights. Because these regulations are not necessarily standardized, navigating them can be challenging. Review the policies specific to your setting, and report any violations appropriately.