Patient satisfaction has become of vital importance in today’s time. Following proper etiquette can make a big difference to how your patients view you.  If your patients feel valued and important, they’re more likely to trust you and come to you every time they require medical assistance.

Take your time when talking to patients

Patients often complain that their physicians don’t give them enough time or don’t give them their full attention. While this complaint might not be true, it is good etiquette to make the patient feel valued and important. As a doctor, you should pay full attention to what your patient is saying. Stop, listen and don’t interrupt. Look patients in the eye, give them quality attention. Use good listening skills like nodding, repeating what you have heard and paraphrasing the patient’s main concern. All of this will assure the patient that you care about his/her well-being.

Never forget to Meet and Greet

Always introduce yourself in a warm and friendly way. Smile at patients and look them in the eye. Start addressing patients by their names as soon as possible. But remember to be courteous. If the patient is your grandmother’s age, you won’t go addressing her from her first name.  Instead use culturally accepted titles.

Staff members, because of their hectic schedule, often forget to greet patients. As a doctor, it is your duty to remind staff members to practice good etiquette as well.

Always keep the patient updated with what’s going on

The patient must always know what is going on and the next step is. For example if you’re a dentist, you should always explain what is happening, what your next plan of action is, and how long it will take. If a patient is fully aware of what’s going on, he’s more likely to trust you and it will

If the patient has been sitting in the waiting room for quite some time, send someone to check on him every now and then. Waiting for long periods of time isn’t easy but assurance from staff members can make a big difference.

Always Dress Professionally

Most doctors normally wear a white coat which helps differentiate them from staff members. This is good practice. Avoid street wear, flashy clothes or anything that may come off as too casual. Even though how you dress is in no way a judge of your abilities, unprofessional attire may give a poor impression to patients, and even lead them to distrust your credibility.