#9: Communicating with Patients Part 3: Concluding the Interview Effectively

“Closing the clinical conversational door properly is just as important as how you open it.” You can do many things well in a clinical interaction, but if you don’t conclude the interaction you can have many errors and misunderstandings. Concluding the doctor-patient interaction thoroughly not only makes sure that the patient is clear about what needs to be done, but it also helps the clinician. This episode looks at the specific language that is needed to make that happen. I’ll also share key tips on how to avoid medical errors and avoid bad outcomes for the patient. I also share a tragic story of how a child was affected by a well meaning doctor who gave incomplete discharge instructions unknowingly. This is part 3 of a 3 part series on communicating with patients. In the first episode, I talked about the introduction, how to set the stage to make the clinician and the patient comfortable. The second part was how to uncover the issues with proper questions and approach. In this episode, I share with you the correct approach and language to close the clinical interaction that is mutually beneficial. Welcome to The Introverted Doctor, the podcast that uncovers myths, mistakes, and misconceptions that hold healthcare professionals back from living their best life at work, home, and play. Each week, Dr. Lalit Chawla will present tips and strategies that you can begin applying right away! He's a full-time Family Physician, Adjunct Professor of Medicine, International Lecture and Writer. In his former life, he was a professional Illusionist and still uses his skills in his workshops, lectures and in the clinical setting. He incorporates magic and illusions in his lectures and teaches healthcare professionals how to use magic in a clinical setting and in the rehabilitation setting. www.TheIntrovertedDoctor.com