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 ???
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