Clinician Tip o' the Month - November 2023

A little bit of information can go a long way towards improving our patients’ experience.

I am reminded of a recent coaching session during which the clinician got up from the stool and walked over to where the patient was seated and listened to their patient’s heart and lungs, as we do. Standing across the room, I was facing the patient and the clinician’s back was to me. “Deep breaths," said the clinician and then “ok” and then auscultated the heart. The clinician then returned to the stool behind the computer screen.

I can still see the patient’s face, across from me, with an expression of anticipation and uncertainty. One could almost hear them ask about the status of their lungs and heart.

“So, doc, is everything ok? Did you hear anything that I ought to be concerned about?” However, the clinician didn’t say anything. I wanted to shout from my corner of the room: “Your lungs sounded clear, the air moved well, and your heart had a perfect rhythm without any extra sounds.” But I didn’t say anything either. The patient seemed resigned to the fact that they needed to let it go and focus on their other medical concerns. 

This scenario reminded me of how important it is for us, as clinicians, to provide real time feedback to the individual we are examining. It requires little in terms of time and effort on our behalf. Yet, it provides part of the foundation for a larger, richer, and more collaborative experience for both clinician and patient.