Reducing The Risk of Miscommunication in Medical Professions

Miscommunication happens all the time in every path of life. However, in the healthcare industry, miscommunication can affect the quality of service received. When it happens between two doctors or a doctor and a patient, it can lead to serious medical problems. 

A patient can fail to explain a symptom, which could affect the diagnosis. 

A nurse could misunderstand the doctor’s request, which can lead to ineffective care. 

Regardless of how and where miscommunication occurs in the healthcare sector, the consequences could be dramatic for the patient. Additionally, there could be severe legal repercussions for the medical profession. While doctors can protect themselves against risks through professional liability insurance, it would be better to avoid miscommunication altogether. 

Use non-verbal cues to emphasize the message

Words are only one of many communication tools. The brain constantly analyzes and interprets sounds into words. However, if the doctor’s physical posture sends mixed signals, this can confuse the brain. Indeed, the brain picks up on many signals to make sense of the conversation. Therefore, the interlocutor might unwillingly transform the message as the brain combines the sounds and the nonverbal input. Ensuring you improve your posture and gestures can prevent misinterpretation issues. For instance, facing people when you talk can ensure you’ve got your interlocutor’s full attention. Maintaining eye contact also helps see if the person you are talking to understands your message. The process captures their attention and can also drive the delivery of content. You can see in someone’s eyes if they follow your reasoning, which means you can either carry on or rephrase to adjust to their needs. 

Finally, the tone of voice can also be an important indicator. Good news told in a strict voice can be confusing. 

Leverage proxy emoji language

Over 9 in 10 people use emojis every day. They belong to essential digital communication. But in the healthcare sector, they can also serve a unique purpose. Indeed, emojis can help patients understand written instructions, especially for complex prescriptions. 

Additionally, emojis can also offer a communication bridge to collect symptom information rapidly and safely. Patients may feel uncomfortable describing nauseous feelings, for instance. Yet, the vomiting emoji can do the trick to let them express the problems. As emojis are universal, they are ideal for patients and doctors all around the world. They can also play an active role in cross-border exchanges. Lab researchers, for example, could share results more easily using emojis. Patients can also avoid language disparities through visual cues, sharing health complaints, and mental health states with smileys. 

Show your patients 

A doctor can order a CT scan or an MRI for diagnosis purposes. Medical imaging is essential to understand a patient’s condition. However, not many doctors take the time to explain the results to their patients. Helping a patient to see on a scan what the cause of their health complaint is can alleviate stress and anxiety. Visualizing plays an essential role in healing. While it doesn’t replace medical treatment, being able to “see” what is wrong can improve a patient’s immune response. Indeed, stress is known to weaken the immune system. Therefore, seeing becomes knowing, which can reduce anxiety levels for some patients. 

Additionally, it becomes essential to make scans and other medical images more accessible. Visually impaired patients, for instance, can benefit from 3D prints that let them “feel” their conditions. A doctor in South America has made the news recently by providing a 3D print of her fetus to a blind expectant mother. 

Don’t be afraid to state the obvious

More often than not, people stop themselves from saying things that they fear are too obvious. However, what might be obvious for one person may not be for another. Miscommunication often occurs when one individual assumes that everybody shares the same level of information, even though the actual piece of information is never shared between them. For example, a doctor may choose not to communicate their interpretation of a patient’s scan to other healthcare professionals because they believe that the other doctors will see the same thing. However, different specialties and training levels may mean that other doctors will pursue treatment without being able to read the scan properly. 

Similarly, patients can unintentionally fail to mention symptoms because they believe their doctor has already noticed them. This could lead to a wrong diagnosis. 

It doesn’t hurt to state the obvious. 

Rephrase everything

Medical jargon can be complicated for patients. They can experience difficulties describing symptoms or issues. Many patients who are not familiar with pain, for instance, may not know what a sharp or a throbbing pain feels like. So, it can be beneficial for doctors to rephrase questions. Rather than asking the patient to describe the pain, the doctor could ask if it feels like touching a bruise, experiencing a muscular cramp, or even getting cut with a sharp blade. Changing the format of the question can help people give a clearer answer. 

Their lives are more precious than your time

Medical appointments can often be rushed for lack of time. A doctor can see many patients if they can keep appointments short. However, when a patient needs time to build confidence, they can feel uncomfortable discussing their issues in a short time. It can be helpful to introduce additional communication methods, such as a chat service, to help people build a trust relationship ahead of their face-to-face appointment. 

Additionally, patients may need time to digest a life-changing diagnosis. Rushing an appointment with a patient in shock can have dramatic consequences on the person’s mental health. Taking a little time to reassure a patient can make a great deal of difference. 

Patients dislike long waiting times. However, explaining your appointment policy can introduce a positive attitude in the healthcare center. Doctors can show a sign explaining that delays can occur when they are helping a patient in difficulty. 

Allow yourself to be emotional

Delivering a difficult diagnosis or losing a patient can be difficult. Doctors have every right to show emotions in front of their patients and their families. As long as emotions do not affect your professionalism, it is okay to display sadness or joy, depending on the situation. This can show your patients that they don’t face the health crisis alone. Showing you care, as a doctor, can build a trust relationship with the patient. 

The rule of physical contact

How much physical contact is acceptable? It can be a delicate subject. However, medical examinations do require some level of contact. Additionally, some patients seek physical interactions for reassurance. For instance, seniors who live alone can feel more comfortable when a doctor holds their hand to deliver a diagnosis. Young children may also need contact, such as holding hands or hugging. While the doctor should also ask before initiating contact, it is important to remember the importance of touch in communication. 

Check that your interlocutor understood

When a doctor talks to a patient, it can be a good idea to ask the patient to repeat the prescription or diagnosis at the end of the appointment. This can act as a way of checking that the communication was successful. The patient can show they’ve understood the situation, so you can both safely progress to the next step. 

Similarly, when talking to nurses or other healthcare professionals, you can also introduce a similar routine, asking them to repeat the information or respond by stating the appropriate course of action. 

When a patient needs an interpreter for translation purposes, verifying that they conveyed the right message is even more important.

Can medical professionals eliminate miscommunication risks? The answer is no. You can never remove 100% of the risks. However, doctors can tackle common issues, misinterpretations, and challenges that can affect everyday communication.