Miss Manners, M.D. There's just no bouncing back from a bad first impression. Particularly when you're entrusting your health to the person making that impression. Researchers from Northwestern University found that the initial consultation between a doctor and patient can set the tone for the entire relationship, not to mention the outcome of any treatments undertaken. In fact, according to Dr. Sheldon Horowitz of the American Board of Medical Specialties there is a direct "correlation between good communication between the physician and patients and good outcomes in patient care." And making a patient feel welcome and secure at the outset is one of the primary aspects involved in setting the stage for good communication. In their survey, the researchers found that patients want their doctors to greet them by name and with a handshake at each visit, especially first visits with a new physician. Nothing earth-shattering there: There are basic manners most of us learned before we left high school. Yet as simple as it sounds, some of these steps are often neglected by doctors. The researchers looked at videotapes of 123 initial consultations with new patients made by 19 different doctors and found that while doctors shook hands with their patients 83 percent of the time, in half of the videotaped appointments they physician never said the patient's name. Perhaps they feel there's no need since they have the patient's chart in front of them. But charts get placed in front of the wrong exam room more often than any of us probably realize. So it's easy to see how that seemingly innocent lack of personal greeting could cost you a great deal more than just feeling slighted. If you see a new doctor, make it a point to introduce yourself to him using your first and last name. And keep doing it at each follow up until you're absolutely sure he knows you. And if that never seems to happen, consider finding a doctor who has spent some time honing his bedside manner. Source:
"Doctors urged to make good first impression," Reuters Health news, 6/12/07 | 
