7 points to look for a good doctor who understands you
By Dr. Naoto Ueno
Perception varies from patient to patient:
Physicians rely on scientific facts when providing medical care, but how patients perceive those facts can vary greatly. This is because their individual life experiences and values heavily influence how they understand and digest the information.
As a cancer specialist, I’ve noticed that even when I explain the same fact to different patients, their reactions can be vastly different. This is particularly noticeable in terminal patients. Despite providing the same explanation, some patients are convinced and feel reassured while others may leave the hospital feeling dissatisfied.
Some doctors do not listen:
Although patients may receive the same information, their reactions can differ greatly due to individual differences. Unfortunately, some doctors may impose a one-size-fits-all approach without taking into account these differences. These doctors may appear to listen, but in reality, they fail to truly see the patient and consider their unique needs.
Three points to identify a good doctor:
To identify a doctor who truly understands their patients, there are three key points to look out for. A good doctor will:
- Speak from the patient’s perspective
- Take the time to answer questions thoughtfully
- Avoid rushing communication
It’s important to note that simply following a patient’s wishes is not always enough. As a medical professional, there are situations where a doctor must provide treatment that may differ from the patient’s preferences. However, I firmly believe that delivering treatment that considers a patient’s values and outlook on life is crucial.
Over the past 30 years, the definition of a “good doctor” in America has evolved. Gone are the days of paternalistic medical care, in which doctors took a more authoritarian approach to their patients.
Making own decisions:
The traditional approach to medical care is focused on providing the most medically optimal solutions, even if it goes against the patient’s wishes, and sometimes patients’ questions are not answered with care. However, the concept of “informed consent” has become more prevalent, meaning patients now have the right to make their own decisions about their treatment after receiving a thorough explanation and options from their doctor.
Patient-centered medicine:
To make the patient comfortable with their decision, doctors must “carefully answer their questions.” In recent years, the concept of “patient-centered medicine” has become more prominent, and it has changed the image of a “good doctor.”
Patients are the focus of our medical practice, and it’s crucial to understand their needs as our customers. “Not rushing communication” means taking time to “listen to the patient’s voice” to grasp their needs.
These three points come from the “patient-centered medicine” perspective, and they all involve the ability of doctors to listen. Today, good doctors listen to patients rather than relying solely on their medical knowledge to convince them.
Two points on explaining to patients:
The trend of “listening to the patient’s voice” or “breaking away from paternalistic medicine” does not mean that doctors should not express their opinions. Instead, it is essential for doctors to convey their thoughts to patients in order to convince them.
I do not believe that presenting patients with the approach of “Here are options A and B, please choose” and giving them enough information is always desirable. As the severity of symptoms increases, the burden on the patient also increases. Instead, it is more effective to say something like, “Based on what we’ve discussed so far, I think it’s best to go with option A. And if that doesn’t work, we can try option B.” This brings us to the fourth point.
- Expressing the doctor’s own opinion
There are rare occasions when a patient wants to make their own choices. In such cases, as long as it is medically feasible, the patient’s wishes are given priority. However, in general, after building trust through the first three points mentioned in the previous section, the doctor will explain and persuade the patient to understand.
Additionally, as we have discussed in previous articles, the world of medicine has many gray areas. It is natural that each patient’s physical condition is unique, and many complex conditions are intertwined. Therefore, the fifth point is:
- Being able to admit when they don’t know something
Of course, as a doctor, it is natural to try to use your knowledge to answer a patient’s question. However, doctors who can clearly distinguish between what is factual and what is uncertain are considered trustworthy. If a doctor says “I don’t know this part” or “the effectiveness has not been proven,” it is not necessary to feel anxious or think that the doctor may not be reliable. After all, medicine has only developed to a certain extent.
Paternalistic doctors who believe that patients should just listen to what they say may find it difficult to admit when they don’t know something. Conversely, doctors who can admit when they don’t know something are more likely to be patient-centered. Furthermore, if a doctor is willing to think together with the patient until they understand or consult with other medical professionals when they don’t know something, they become an even more valuable presence.
Two Points to Consider When Disclosing Information:
Aside from the examination, it is possible to discern whether a physician is patient-centered or not from their overall demeanor. Without further ado, here are the sixth and seventh points:
They give you a copy of your medical record.
They allow you to record the examination.
What we can measure here is whether the physician recognizes that patient information belongs to the patient themselves. As mentioned earlier, patient-centered healthcare has developed in the United States to the point where these two points are performed routinely and physicians cannot be differentiated. Patients can access their medical records anytime using an application on their smartphone. Since a mechanism has been established for sharing patient information and medical records, physicians do not even need to make copies of the records. However, in Japan, digitalization is delayed, and patients may be denied the sharing of their medical records.
It is not certain whether the healthcare institution or the physician is refusing to share the records, so it is hasty to link this to the physician’s individual qualifications. However, since the Personal Information Protection Law stipulates that medical institutions must respond to the patient’s request for disclosure of their medical records, even if the request is refused, it can be considered as effective evidence for discerning whether the physician is patient-centered or not based on how they act afterward.
Many of my patients start recording the examination as soon as they enter the examination room. Some even begin filming, but of course, I do not stop them. All information belongs to the patient.
Furthermore, requesting such recordings or copies of medical records can also lead to physicians exercising their self-control, which is a benefit to patients. It becomes an incentive to provide medical care that is not embarrassing no matter who sees it. There may not be many doctors who cannot provide appropriate medical care without a camera, but I think there are many doctors who speak more politely, so please actively record conversations with your physician.
*Please see and ask your doctor about your cases. This article was created from various reference sources as a gate to multiple helpful pieces of information. Please refer to the original articles for more detailed information.
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