PHYSICIAN CARE

WHAT TO EXPECT:

1. Ask permission before examining you daily.

2. Ask you open-ended questions and encourage you to share your perspective.

3. Demonstrate empathy.

4. Acknowledge other family in the room with your permission.

5. Sit at the bedside when talking with you.

6. Share with you their experience and expertise in treating your condition.

7. Share the diagnosis by name and explain it in language you can understand.

8. Explain the treatment course—what you can expect and how long it typically requires to heal.

9. Explain new medications by name, what they are used for, how long you will be on them and what side effects you may have.

10. Offer you a chance to ask questions.

11. Explain the tests they are ordering.

12. Explain the results of the tests when they come back.

13. Speak to you, not the computer.

14. Explain what they are taking notes about.

15. Share the goal for discharge date and time.

16. Paraphrase what you tell them to ensure they understood you correctly.

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YOUR ROLE:

Ask the doctor to communicate his plan and schedule to the nurses.