A patient’s experience starts the moment he or she steps foot in the office. It starts with the greeting from the assistant at the front desk, followed by the amount of paperwork to fill out, followed by the interaction with the nurse, and then, finally, the doctor.
It’s often a long process, not exactly a patient’s idea of fun, and a physician’s communication skills play an important role in whether a patient is willing to be receptive of the information provided. Today, the physician’s role goes beyond writing a prescription and sending a patient on the way.
America’s obesity crisis is affecting workers’ productivity and overall health of the nation, and physicians have a say in prevention, which starts a ripple effect. Prevention means fewer people are obese, fewer people driving up healthcare costs, fewer employees taking sick days. So, you can see why communication skills play a critical role.
You may not be able to teach empathy, but specific care models can set patients up for success. The Center for Medical Weight Loss, for example, focuses on a team atmosphere, one where the physician provides support and gets to know the patient on a deeper level, where the doctor really understands the underlying causes of unhealthy habits. It’s a personalized experience where each treatment plan is different. The model allows doctors to form a unique bond with each patient who steps through the door.
The more welcoming the office, the more likely a patient will be open to suggested treatment. Our healthcare system puts physicians in a powerful position. It puts physicians in the primary prevention role, and like all diseases, the sooner the problem is detected, the easier it is to treat.
By taking advantage of this role, we can significantly lower healthcare costs in this country. One overweight employee can add $1,500 in health costs per year, and with two-thirds of Americans overweight, the costs add up quickly. Part of the solution to these startling costs is the evolution of the physician role to a more patient-centered approach, one where weight loss becomes a team effort.
