Dr. Vargo
My challenge for you this month: Ask more questions before jumping in with solutions.
THE REASONS
How many times have we educated a patient appearing to listen intently, to see that patient decline to act on our recommendations? Our goal should be to educate and get people to make changes that will ultimately benefit them. I propose a three-step approach.
ACTION STEPS
- Step 1. Let’s say to the patient: “Tell me about any problems you’re having with your vision.” Let’s not “ask” whether the patient is having problems. That’s a closed-ended question. We need to bring to the surface any and all complaints.
- Step 2: Let’s ask the patient to further assess and explain these problems; not just “what” they are, but “how” they are affecting the patient. Doing so gets patients to focus on the personal effect(s) of the problem(s).
- Step 3: Let’s ask the patient how it would affect their work/life if we were able to resolve the problem. This gets patients to reveal their reasons for change, which they are more likely to then act on. OM
