Talking to Patients in the 21st Century Talking to Patients in the 21st Century

Zuger A. — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Styles of parenting and practicing medicine have followed remarkably similar trajectories over the last half-century, with authoritarian tones firmly banished from both arenas, and the old phrases of admonition and advice overhauled to communicate cheerful encouragement, mutual understanding, and respect. It is only a matter of time before “Good job!” and its equivalents are heard as often in the nation's examination rooms as on its playgrounds.

Encouraging Patients to Ask Questions How to Overcome “White-Coat Silence” Encouraging Patients to Ask Questions

Judson TJ, Detsky AS, Press MJ. — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The focus of an ongoing effort in health care quality improvement is to encourage patients to ask questions during their care. In September 2011, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) launched the Questions Are the Answer campaign (Table) and has used $20 million of donated marketing outreach toward building patient engagement through asking questions (Farah Englert, AHRQ, November 15, 2012, written communication). In 2002, the Joint Commission created Speak Up, an initiative that promotes patient involvement in care and emphasizes the importance of asking questions (Table).

AMA Publishing Group: Nephrology Topic Collection

Talking to Patients in the 21st Century Talking to Patients in the 21st Century

Encouraging Patients to Ask Questions How to Overcome “White-Coat Silence” Encouraging Patients to Ask Questions