What do you think student doctors need to learn?
First, if you do not have this on your list, interpersonal communications skills. the have to know how to communicate with their patients, not talk at them, but engage them in meaningful dialog. This is to be able to explain to them the seriousness of what they are facing, especially with chronic diseases.
Second, they must know when to stop, not always easy, but often necessary to avoid patient overload and confusion. Then to pick up the conversation if the patient has questions and especially at the next patient visit.
Third, they must stop using threats as a way to getting their patients to do something.
Why do you think it's important for them to learn this?
While many patients of today still want the "pill cure", more patients are internet literate and will find information on the internet, so the doctors must know what is on the internet and be prepared to direct their patients to some of the better web sites. These sites may not have owners with a medical degree as some doctors today want and tell their patients they should ignore. Some sites are forums and other places that have knowledge that can be very helpful such as bloggers that do tell their readers to constult with their doctors before following any advice given.
Advice
- Interesting! This is a tough one. I would think maybe some of the patients. They are the ones receiving advice from the doctors and should be able to explain what todays patients need from their doctors in more concise and realistic terms than other doctors. These patients probably need to be from the proactive patient group. While doctors in training are notorious for ignoring non-medical instructors, they could still learn from us in the classroom setting. Or this could be a series of short courses in the residency phase of their training, but may be too late then.
