Patient communication skills are one of the most important skills that doctors in the US must master. The reason is because:
1. Communication skills with patients in the American medical environment
By the way today is National Doctor’s Day in the US, I want to share a feedback from my patient.
”I felt like Dr. Christina cared about how I was feeling. I was kind of nervous because I know I’m in pain and I just wanted my doctor to understand and do whatever to help me seek the proper treatment.
I’m very happy now I have a follow-up for a procedure I believe will help me find out what’s causing me so much pain. I really felt cared for by Dr. Christina Nguyen.
I would highly recommend her! I also like that anytime I’ve been there the staff has been kind and professional to me and my family.”
Roughly translated into Vietnamese is:
“I felt like Dr. Christina cared about how I was feeling. I was so worried because I knew I was in pain and I just wanted him to understand and do whatever it took to help me find the right treatment.
I’m so happy that I have now been scheduled for a follow-up visit and a minor surgery that I believe will help me figure out what’s causing me so much pain. I really feel cared for by Dr. Christina Nguyen.
I highly recommend her to others! I also love that every time I have been to the clinic, the staff there have been very kind and professional to me and my family.”
I was very touched when I read these words.
Not because the patient complimented me or my clinic staff.
But it was because the patient felt the message I wanted to send.
Even though language and cultural barriers still exist somewhere, the patient really understood and trusted me.
These things, for For Vietnamese patients, it is probably easy for us to get, but for foreign patients it is much more difficult.
2. Why is it necessary to improve communication skills with patients?
I still remember the first days of my career, I felt very sad and disappointed in myself when patients seemed indifferent and did not want to talk to me.
Some people even complained with bad words about me.
This made me feel extremely hurt because I really tried a lot to do a good job as a doctor taking care of the patient’s health.
US President Theodore Roosevelt said:
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Meaning:
Others will not care how educated or talented you are until they know how much you really care about them.
That’s true.
There were many times I felt helpless because I couldn’t express to patients that I care, worry, and want the best for them.
But everything changed when I learned the art of communicating with foreign patients to gain their trust.
This is also the reason I regularly share articles. about language English and communicating in English.
I truly believe that Vietnamese medical students and doctors are extremely smart, talented, and work extremely hard.
And I firmly believe that you will gain the trust and love of foreign patients if you are determined to pursue that goal.
Please comment “yes” if you also want this.
Please register at HERE to immediately download for FREE the book “100 Idioms to help you communicate confidently in English.”
On the occasion of American Doctor’s Day, I wish those of you who are cherishing the dream to become a doctor in America always be steadfast to pursue this path and succeed one day.
