When a patient has many concerned family members with whom a physician must communicate, the best approach for the physician is to:
A.
Be available as much as possible for each and every family member so that the physician is seen as caring and committed.
B.
Designate a personable staff member to act as a liaison to the family.
C.
Ask the family to select one member with whom the physician will confer, and who will communicate what the physician says to the rest of the family.
D.
Set aside an hour each day to communicate with the family and answer questions.
True or False: Physicians should speak strictly in clinical terms when discussing a patient’s medical condition with the patient's family or friends.
True
False
Some simple tasks that loved ones may be asked to perform in patient care include all of the following, except:
Providing transportation to appointments.
Preparing special foods.
Assisting with physical therapy.
Drawing blood.
True or False: Physicians should ask family members to deliver bad news to patients.
A good first step that physicians may take to establish a rapport with patients’ family members or friends is to:
Ask family members or friends why they’re present.
Lay down ground rules for communication.
List the physician’s credentials.
Introduce himself or herself.
True or False: A patient’s family and friends can significantly influence compliance.
Confidential medical information may be disclosed without prior written consent to the patient’s:
Spouse
Adult child
Primary caregiver
None of the above.
True or False: Physicians should always introduce themselves to patients and patients’ companions using their title and last name only (e.g., "Hello, I’m Dr. Kaplan").
If a patient’s companion won’t let the patient get a word in edgewise, the physician should:
Ask the companion to leave the room so the physician can talk privately with the patient.
Remind the companion that he or she is compromising the patient’s healthcare by interfering.
Respond briefly to the companion, then turn and address the patient.
Ask the patient to return without the companion.
True or False: If the patient is deaf or doesn’t speak English, a family member or friend may serve as an interpreter, provided he or she is qualified to do so.
