DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Contents
Foreword
1
1. Considering Health Care Perceptions
3
“I’m 30 . . . until I look in the mirror.”
2. Understanding Older Patients
6
“Tell me more about how you spend your days.”
3. Obtaining the Medical History
13
“What brings you here today?”
4. Encouraging Wellness
19
“I’d like you to try this exercise routine.”
5. Talking About Sensitive Subjects
23
“Many people your age experience similar problems.”
6. Supporting Patients With Chronic Conditions
36
“Let’s discuss living with . . .”
7. Breaking Bad News
40
“I wish I had better news.”
8. Working With Diverse Older Patients
44
“Cultural differences, not divides.”
9. Including Families and Caregivers
48
“What would you like your family to know?”
10. Talking With Patients About Cognitive Problems
51
“You mentioned having trouble with your memory.”
11. Keeping the Door Open
58
“Effective Communication”
Publications At-a-Glance
60
Services At-a-Glance
Tear-Off Card
Foreword
Good communication is an important part of
the healing process.
Studies find that effective physician-patient communication has specific benefits: patients are more likely to adhere to treatment and have better outcomes, they express greater satisfaction with their treatment, and they are less likely to bring malpractice suits.
Research also shows that good communication is a teachable skill. Medical students who receive communication training improve dramatically, not only in communicating with patients, but also in assessing and building relationships with them. Time management skills also get better.
Interpersonal and communication skills are now a core competency identified by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
Learning effective communication techniques—and using them—may help you build more satisfying relationships with older patients and become even more skilled at managing their care.
Communicating with older patients involves special issues. For example: l How can you effectively interact with patients facing multiple illnesses and/or hearing and vision impairments?
l What’s the best way to approach sensitive topics such as driving privileges or assisted living?
l Are there ways to help older patients who are experiencing confusion or memory loss?
With questions like these in mind, the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, developed this booklet.
foreword