Maintaining Respectful Communication Through the Patient Portal
As an internist, I have the responsibility of providing comprehensive healthcare for adults across the spectrum of disease and illness. This dynamic profession is not just about diagnosing and treating diseases, but it's also about fostering a relationship of trust, respect, and open communication with our patients. One of the key tools that facilitate this interaction is the patient portal. However, lately, a new trend of sending inappropriate and disrespectful messages via the patient portal has emerged, which can negatively impact this crucial doctor-patient relationship.
The first thing to understand is that the patient portal is a professional platform designed to facilitate health-related discussions, clarify doubts, and share vital information about your health. It's not a channel for venting frustrations or expressing discontent in an unconstructive or disrespectful manner. Disrespectful communication not only strains the relationship between the patient and the medical staff but also can obstruct effective healthcare delivery. Here's why: 1. Creates a Negative Environment: Nasty messages can create a hostile environment that is not conducive to patient care. It can negatively impact the morale of the healthcare staff, who are working diligently to provide the best care possible. 2. Hinders Effective Communication: Disrespectful messages can overshadow the real issues at hand. The actual concern or query you have may get lost amidst the negativity, leading to delays or misinterpretations in addressing your health concerns. 3. Strains Doctor-Patient Relationship: Trust and respect are the cornerstones of a healthy doctor-patient relationship. Sending inappropriate messages can harm this relationship, which may impact the quality of care you receive. 4. Wastes Valuable Time: Time is of the essence in healthcare. The time spent addressing and diffusing unnecessary conflicts caused by nasty messages is time that could have been better spent addressing other patient concerns or emergencies. As a patient, it is understandable that you may feel frustrated or anxious about your health situation. You have every right to express dissatisfaction if you feel the care provided to you was not up to the mark. However, it's essential to communicate these feelings in a respectful and constructive manner. If you have concerns about your treatment, it's best to express them clearly and politely. Ask for a face-to-face meeting with your physician or the office manager to discuss the issues. Constructive feedback is always welcome and can lead to improvements in the healthcare services we offer. Remember, the aim of the patient portal, and indeed every tool and service we provide, is to ensure you receive the best possible care. Maintaining a respectful and open line of communication helps us achieve this goal and serves to enhance your overall healthcare experience
