Got a minute?

Here is a link to a news release about a study showing that sitting docs have happier patients.  The simple act of sitting in a patient room instead of standing in the doorway gave the patients the perception that the doctor spent more time with them and increased the patient's satisfaction score of the doctor.  The interesting thing was that the sitting doctors actually spent less time than the standing doctors.  A patient"s perception is the reality that us in health care need to remember.

It reminded me of information I had learned from a lecture by Peter R. Kovacek, MSA, PT.  He talked about the importance of being a productive therapist with your patients and to not let distractions interfere with your treatment (like phone calls, staff, or other patients).  When comparing the productive therapist to a lesser productive therapist in his studies it showed that the productive therapist would spend less time with the patient, but the patient perceived that they spent more time them.  While the converse was true for the lesser productive therapist who was more apt to let distractions interrupt the patient treatment time, the therapist spent more time with the patient, but the patient perceived that the therapist spent less time with them.

In today's busy health care environment it often seems like there is not enough time to spend with our patients that we want too.  We often feel rushed and let distractions get in our way.  But if we take a minute and sit down to truly listen to the patient and what their story is and manage our environment to limit distractions, we might find that we can spend less time with the patient, while giving the patient more of what they need.  Sounds a lot like a "Win-Win" to me.

So if we remember the primary things a patient wants during the initial visit:

1. What is wrong with me?
2. How long will it take to get better?
3. What can I, the patient, do?
4. What can you, the physical therapist, do for me?

If we sit down and answer that info for them, we are often starting down a path that is centered on the patient which will help lead to a positive outcome for the patient.

Share any stories of when you noticed a health care provider "sat and gave you a minute" or when the opposite happened and they "stood and gave you a second".  Offer ways that you make sure you "sit and give the patient what they need".