HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PATIENTS
American patients want their doctor to shake their hand as a sign of respect and trust. According to a survey in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 81% of patients believed that student doctors should be taught to shake hands and even more thought that they should wash up between handshakes. Patients also expect doctors to smile, be friendly, attentive and polite; make them feel like a priority; and make eye contact. The Lancet concludes in an editorial that this research serves as "a reminder that all aspects of practice, research, funding and legislation should ultimately be directed to the benefit of patients."
- How long can you put off seeing the doctor because of lockdowns? - December 3, 2021
- House of Lords debates assisted suicide—again - October 28, 2021
- Spanish government tries to restrict conscientious objection - October 28, 2021
More Stories
American Medical Association spurns assisted suicide proposals
The American Medical Association has resisted a push to adopt a position of neutrality on assisted suicide and euthanasia. In...
Sudan: indifference kills
The eyes of the world are on Gaza, where some 15,000 Palestinians have been killed in the in Israel’s response...
How should doctors approach the war in Gaza?
“Do leaders in health care have any responsibilities to speak out, as health professionals, about the Israel-Hamas war?” asks an...
Eleanor Rigbys are everywhere, says WHO
The World Health Organization has added loneliness to its long list of priority health areas. “High rates of social isolation...
Gambling with health
The world-wide growth of the gambling industry should worry public health authorities, says The Lancet. Taking advantage of the celebration...
Finnish psychiatrist highlights the dangers of gender-affirmative care for children
Aspects of the gender affirmation model followed by American physicians have failed, are not evidence-based, and are “extremely unethical”, a...