APMA News - November/December 2017 - 58

Coverage Corner
Provided by PICA

Bedside Manner May Affect
Your Likelihood of Being Sued
Improved communication and rapport between
the patient and podiatrist may reduce the likelihood of being sued when an unfavorable outcome occurs.
Developing strong patient relationships with
high levels of satisfaction is possible and can be
achieved with little time commitment. The following guidelines can improve your bedside manner during a patient visit.
n Review the patient's history
before you enter the room.
Patients are impressed when
you know their history. Enter
the room ready to engage the
patient and use the first few
minutes to establish a welcoming environment.

n Communicate your diagnosis in lay terms,
if possible.
Ask if the patient understands the diagnosis
and answer any questions the patient may
have.

n Develop a treatment plan that is mutually
acceptable to you and the patient.
Ascertain the patient's goals for treatment and
inform the patient of treatment
options. Determine if there are
Studies have proven that
any barriers to prevent the patient
a physician's bedside
from adhering to treatment and
obtain the patient's agreement to
manner and ability to develop
be an active participant in treatpatient rapport are inversely
ment.

correlated with the physician's
number of malpractice suits.

n Use good manners and courtesy.
Knock before you enter. Announce yourself, be polite,
and use the patient's name in your greeting. Creating rapport quickly with the patient is a key element for establishing a trusting relationship and will often affect the
outcome of the visit.
n Make eye contact with the patient.
The patient needs to know that you are there solely for the
purpose of seeing him or her.

n Listen and determine the reason the patient seeks care.
The patient wants to know you are listening and that you
understand. Don't go into a diagnostic dive. Let the patient
express all of his or her concerns.
n Express empathy about the patient's situation.
Empathy allows you and the patient to have a shared understanding of the concern. Empathy is the cornerstone of
good bedside manner.
58 APMA News November/December 2017

Studies have proven that a physician's bedside manner and
ability to develop patient rapport are inversely correlated with
the physician's number of malpractice suits. A physician with
a good bedside manner will be remembered for his or her effective communication skills, empathy, compassion, and understanding of the patient's concern. A good bedside manner
will decrease the risk of a malpractice claim and, most importantly, improve patient outcomes. A physician with an exemplary bedside manner and patient rapport may still get sued,
but the chances are decreased when the physician is liked by
the patient.
n

This article is not intended to constitute legal advice or create an attorney-
client relationship, but is intended for general information only. An attorney
or other resource should be consulted regarding individual cases.

For more information, contact the PICA Risk Management department at 800-251-5727, or visit www.pica
group.com.

Original graphic by Shutterstock/Hiuboki Dzianis.

n Sit down.
Sitting down, you will be at the same eye level as the patient and will not appear to be talking down to him or her.
The patient will perceive that you are not anxious nor in a
hurry to leave the room.

n Make sure the patient knows
to call you if any unforeseen
difﬁculties arise.
Let the patient know you are concerned about the resolution of his or her problem. Investing in the end ensures
a genuine partnership between the podiatrist and patient. It also minimizes the potential for misunderstanding and miscommunication.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - November/December 2017