If you think about how stressful it is to be a doctor, it’s no wonder that in 2014, 54 percent of physicians in America were reporting symptoms of burnout. What’s more? This percentage only continues to increase year after year.

Thanks to a near-endless stream of patients, piles of paperwork, and the ever-present fear of an impending lawsuit, the stress doctors face can compound even further. This stress can be hugely distracting and may result in workplace errors, issues regarding communication with patients, and more.

All of these can have a negative impact on health and business relationships as well.

If you want to maintain your relationships in the workplace and beyond, it’s important to start with maintaining proper patient communication.

Know you need some help?

We’ll run through 5 easy ways you can improve patient-doctor communication for Charlotte medical offices right here.

1. Try Open-Ended Questions

Of course, what you say to your patients is important. But what they tell you is important, too.

One easy way to improve physician-patient communication is to use open-ended questions. Asking questions that require more than a simple “Yes” or “No” answer will give your patients more of an opportunity to open up to you about any problems, pain, or symptoms they’re experiencing.

2. Look for Non-Verbal Cues

Is your patient saying all the right things, but looking at you with a concerned or confused expression?

Assessing their non-verbal cues can help you improve communication. Words are important, sure, but they aren’t everything. Watch for other signs to ensure that everyone’s on the same page and your patient understands what you’re saying.

A medical answering service in Charlotte can record calls, and you can learn from them.

3. Determine the Literacy of Your Patients

It’s unlikely that all of your patients will have the same educational background, so determining the literacy of each of your patients and adjust your communication accordingly is key.

If a patient has a limited understanding of English, you may need to speak more slowly to ensure they understand what you’re trying to communicate with them.

4. Use Surveys to Gauge Satisfaction

Just because you don’t hear about complaints, doesn’t mean that your patients don’t have any.

By implementing a survey with a Charlotte doctor’s answering service to assess your patients’ satisfaction, you can easily identify areas in which you (or your practice as a whole) need to improve and make any necessary adjustments.

5. Use a Medical Answering Service in Charlotte

When you partner with the right answering service, your patients benefit because they can reach you when they need to, and you have more time to spend attending to their (and your own) needs – so both parties remain satisfied long term.

Why Wait to Improve Your Communication with Patients?

Improving your communication with patients doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, take up a lot of your time, or add more stress to your life.

Reduce your stress levels today and invest in a 24-hour answering service for physicians.

Improving your communication with patients starts with improving your own life. Find an answering service that works for you, and you’ll be less stressed and more time and energy to devote to communicating with your patients.