At some point in life everybody plays the role of a patient. From doctors, to dentists, we have all had to see a doctor at some point and communicate our concerns in the most lucid way possible. Sometimes, our concerns are addressed accurately and appropriately, but unfortunately, sometimes they are not and this is because of bad communication between the caregiver and the patient. Medical transactions in the United States are centered around the notion of physician-centered communication. This means the health professionals do most of the talking. Therefore, if an individual decides to pursue a career as a caregiver, they are responsible for ensuring good communication between themselves and their patients.
Caregivers often communicate more assertively than their patients, and in my opinion, this makes sense. We should always trust that if caregivers are being assertive, that they are acting so because they have the medical degree and know what they are talking about. However, some of us are uncomfortable talking to caregivers. Sometimes medical professionals make it very uncomfortable for a patient to open up and feel comfortable discussing their problems. Often times, medical professionals block communication and patronize their patients. An individual may view a caregiver as having a high amount of power due to their prestigious education and this can be intimidating especially to a patient that may not be as educated. Nevertheless, it is the doctor’s responsibility to make the patient comfortable physically and emotionally because the patient will communicate much better with the doctor if they don’t feel judged, intimidated, or uncomfortable in any way. Perhaps the patient did something that is frowned upon by society, or perhaps the patient is forced to admit something as small as not brushing his or her teeth enough. Regardless of the patient’s issue, it is important for the doctor to create an atmosphere conducive to allowing the patient to opening up...
