5 Ways to Improve Your Patient Relations

Lizzie Weakley
3 min readOct 13, 2023

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As healthcare providers, it’s vital to maintain positive patient relations. Patients are the centerpiece of medical practice, and building a strong relationship with them can go a long way. Good patient relations improve patient compliance, satisfaction, and collaborative care. Here are five ways that healthcare providers can improve patient relations in their practice.

Communication

Effective communication is vital in maintaining good patient relations. Healthcare providers need to keep their patients informed about their health status and treatment options. Communication should be clear and consistent, and patients should be given the opportunity to ask questions. Healthcare providers should also practice active listening, letting the patients express their concerns and preferences.

Empathy

Empathy is critical when it comes to patient relations. Healthcare providers should be able to convey a deep understanding of the patient’s physical and emotional state. Empathetic, compassionate care improves patient satisfaction. It helps patients feel heard, understood, and appreciated. This is essential in building a solid patient-provider relationship and promoting the best possible health outcome.

Respect

Showing respect is essential in healthcare. Healthcare providers should respect their patients’ time, privacy, values, and beliefs. They should be nonjudgmental and compassionate, creating a safe and welcoming space. Respectful attitudes can increase patient trust and loyalty. It’s crucial to remember that patients come from various backgrounds and with various experiences. Hence, healthcare providers should be sensitive to their individual differences.

Education

Healthcare providers should ensure that their patients are educated about their condition, treatment options, and prevention measures. Educating patients can help them make informed decisions about their health. It establishes trust with the provider, reduces anxieties, and fosters a better patient-provider relationship. Healthcare providers should provide educational resources in a patient-friendly manner and encourage patients to ask questions. For example, if their health has plummeted after a work related injury, suggest that they seek legal aid from professionals like the Law Offices of Justinian Lane. Some patients may not be aware of assistance available to help with their needs.

Follow Up

The follow-up is another crucial aspect of patient relations. Healthcare providers should ensure timely follow-up with their patients. This includes checking in on the patient after a procedure, returning calls promptly, and scheduling the next appointment. It’s an excellent opportunity to get feedback from the patient and address their concerns. Healthcare providers should always ensure that their next steps are aligned with what the patient wants and needs.

Good patient relations require effort on the part of healthcare providers. As described in this article, it involves effective communication, empathy, respect, education, and follow-up. By practicing these five tips, healthcare providers can promote a positive patient experience, which can boost patient loyalty, complement their work, and improve health outcomes. Building and maintaining relationships with patients will require patience, but it is going to be all worth it. Remember, a good patient relation is a win-win for all parties involved.

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Lizzie Weakley
Lizzie Weakley

Written by Lizzie Weakley

Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky Snowball

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