NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2017 - 16

LACKMEDSOC.ORG

PLETHORA OF BUZZWORDS HAS CHARACTERIZED THE
HEALTHCARE DIALOGUE OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES.

Communication is the essence of human interaction, and
yet, sadly, the vital interchange of thoughts and feelings is
sometimes pushed to the side in medical settings by jargon
and the rush of overfilled clinical schedules. Physicians
who make patients the center of their medical practices
are empathic listeners, careful observers and caring providers. In clinical interactions, patients are recipients of
patient-centered care and have the opportunity to reciprocate a doctor's caring concern with trust and respect. As
the process of building trust through genuine interpersonal
communication proceeds, physician-patient encounters
become more effective and more likely to lead to positive
patient outcomes.

At the forefront of discussions on the status and
future of medicine has been the phrase "patient-centered
medicine" - and rightly so. The modern era of specialization and sub-specialization calls for serious reflection
on the fundamental purpose of medicine. A reality check,
you might say, for physicians and patients has begun and
continues today. Amidst incessant debate over the future
of healthcare in America and the increasing centralization
of healthcare systems, how can patients and their doctors
see eye-to-eye in maintaining the humanity of medicine?
With an unchanging mission to improve quality of life,
patient-centered medicine necessarily entails - but is not
limited to - compassionate interpersonal communication,
cultural competency, evidence-based medical practice and
engaging the patient in the medical care team.
N E PA

Communication, when patient-centered, is unbiased,
free of value judgments and marked by effective listening
skills. Such communication combined with an attitude
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VITAL SIGNS

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEPA Vital Signs - Summer Fall 2017