How have the events of this past week come up during your patient interactions and how have you tried to be supportive?

Takeaway

Listening and truly hearing a person’s perspective is an essential component of supporting patients.

Connecting with Patients | June 5, 2020 | <1 min read

Highlights

I try to be supportive by just listening and telling patients that I hear them. Sometimes that's all we can do . . . just listen and let another human being know that we're there with them and that we hear them.

Rachel Salas, MD, Johns Hopkins

This morning on a telemedicine visit with a wonderful 80-year-old patient who lives in Washington D.C., she expressed dismay as she told me about Apache helicopters flying over her house last night, so close that she could see the pilot. She expressed support for “those young people protesting.” Asked about how she coped, she said, “faith and resilience.”

Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins

They've shared their anxieties and collective grief. I’ve tried to support my patients through active listening and destigmatizing mental health.

Madeline Rodriguez, MD, Johns Hopkins

I've been asking open-ended questions about world events. I recognize that everyone, especially my Black patients, may have different comfort levels talking about it with me and that's okay.

Kat Jong, MD, University of Washington

I'm supporting my patients by affirming my commitment to the health of their communities, especially since it's now so clear that racism is a public health crisis.

Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins

I've actually tried to intentionally bring them up, though know I'm awkward and ignorant in so doing. For weeks I have been asking people how they are handling the COVID pandemic—I see this as at least as important to ask in regards to racism. Lots of interesting discussions.

Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins

I'm more aware of the inequities in how our system has been delivering care to patients. How we prioritize who is seen. How we connect with patients who can’t do video visits. I’ve been part of the problem. I’m trying to identify solutions that eliminate these & other existing disparities.

Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins

I reassure my patients that regardless of their ethnicity, creed, or skin color, I will continue to treat them as an extension of family.

Juliette Perzhinsky, MD

One way to be supportive is to just listen. Just listen really hear what they're feeling and experiencing.

Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins

Rachel Salas, MD, Johns Hopkins

Many people’s sleep is worse due to the stress of COVID-19, schedule changes, work changes, the unrest, and politics. People may feel helpless and lost, which has negative effects on their sleep. I try to be supportive by just listening and telling patients that I hear them. Sometimes that’s all we can do . . . just listen and let another human being know that we’re there with them and that we hear them.

Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins

It comes up with the majority of my patients. This morning on a telemedicine visit with a wonderful 80-year-old patient who lives in Washington D.C., she expressed dismay as she told me about Apache helicopters flying over her house last night, so close that she could see the pilot. She expressed support for “those young people protesting.” Asked about how she coped, she said, “faith and resilience.”

What do you think?

Do you want to add to the conversation? Please share!

Madeline Rodriguez, MD, Johns Hopkins

Most of my primary care panel reflects the Spanish speaking immigrant community in Baltimore. They’ve shared their anxieties and collective grief. I’ve tried to support my patients through active listening and destigmatizing mental health.

Kat Jong, MD, University of Washington

I’ve been trying to ask all of my patients how they are affected by COVID-19. Now I’ve added asking more open-ended questions about world events. I recognize that everyone, especially my Black patients, may have different comfort levels talking about it with me and that is okay.

Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins

I’m supporting my patients by affirming my commitment to the health of their communities, especially since it’s now so clear that racism is a public health crisis.

Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins

I’ve actually tried to intentionally bring them up, though know I’m awkward and ignorant in so doing. For weeks I have been asking people how they are handling the COVID pandemic—I see this as at least as important to ask in regards to racism. Lots of interesting discussions.

Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins

I’m more aware of the inequities in how our system has been delivering care to patients. How we prioritize who is seen. How we connect with patients who can’t do video visits. I’ve been part of the problem. I’m trying to identify solutions that eliminate these & other existing disparities.

Juliette Perzhinsky, MD

I reassure my patients that regardless of their ethnicity, creed, or skin color, I will continue to treat them as an extension of family.

Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins

One way to be supportive is to just listen. Just listen really hear what they’re feeling and experiencing. That in itself can go a long way.

Conversation

Takeaway

Connecting with Patients | June 5, 2020 | <1 min read

Highlights

Rachel Salas, MD, Johns Hopkins

Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins

Madeline Rodriguez, MD, Johns Hopkins

Kat Jong, MD, University of Washington

Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins

Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins

Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins

Juliette Perzhinsky, MD

Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins

Rachel Salas, MD, Johns Hopkins

Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins

What do you think?

Madeline Rodriguez, MD, Johns Hopkins

Kat Jong, MD, University of Washington

Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins

Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins

Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins

Juliette Perzhinsky, MD

Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins

You Might Also Be Interested In

How do you fully engage with patients while using the Electronic Health Record?

Life is a Rollercoaster

Diagnosing And Treating Pain