18 seconds… yes… 18 seconds. The average physician will interrupt a patient after they have been speaking for only 18 seconds.
Epic fail… non-starter!
Physician Patient Communication Should Consist of:
Engage – listen – examine – listen again – explain – educate – solicit questions (listen again) and offer advice for further learning and means for further engagement (listen again).
That’s it — you’ve read this in 18 seconds — think you can adequately express your thoughts and emotions in 18 seconds ???
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This immediately reminded me of an old episode of “Scrubs” where the jist was that doctors only engage their patients for about 15 seconds of dialogue.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be7gIvX3MVQ
My previous family physician had that tendency as well, unfortunately.
Jason Boies
Radian6