Have you ever felt dismissed by a doctor? You’re not alone. “Doctor shopping”—the search for a healthcare provider who truly listens—is a symptom of a larger problem: a communication gap. Today, while reading an article for my CME manuscript sprint, I came across the term “doctor-shopping”—the exhausting search for a provider who truly acknowledges a patient’s pain.
It’s disheartening that empathy—one of the most fundamental aspects of patient care—is often overlooked.
During my time as a postdoctoral fellow at The Ottawa Hospital, I met many resident doctors and medical students who were deeply passionate about improving patient outcomes. What I found and cherished was that compassionate communication has always been a central point of discussion when working to enhance patient care.
The Critical Role of Empathy in Patient-Physician Communication
This problem is beyond “doctor-shopping”. When healthcare professionals fail to acknowledge a patient’s psychological distress alongside physical symptoms, it creates a barrier to open dialogue. This not only discourages patients from sharing their concerns but also increases the risk of misdiagnosis.
Empathy isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have in medicine.
Research has shown that empathy in patient-physician communication leads to better clinical outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, and improved adherence to treatment plans. For instance, a study found that patients with diabetes had significantly better glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels when treated by more empathic physicians.
How CME Programs Reduce Doctor Shopping and Improve Patient Satisfaction
The article The Art of Patient Communication and Compliance discusses how improving caregiver-patient communication can lead to higher levels of patient compliance. Improved communication directly impacts patient satisfaction and reducing the need for doctor shopping. This is why Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs increasingly include strategies to integrate real-world patient experiences and emphasize effective communication. These courses empower doctors to:
- Actively listen to patients
- Convey medical information clearly and compassionately
- Engage in patient-centered conversations
- Build solid doctor-patient relationships through shared decision-making processes
Innovative CME Approaches for Enhanced Communication Skills
CME programs have been developed to target communication skills improvement:
- Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Family Physicians offer courses and online presentations to equip healthcare professionals with essential skills for interacting with both patients and other health professionals.
- One particularly effective approach is the R.E.D.E.SM model which includes three phases of Relationship: Establishment, Development, and Engagement. the R.E.D.E.SM model has been shown to improve patient satisfaction scores and physician empathy. This CME-accredited program by the Cleveland Clinic Center focuses on experiential skills practice and has been successful in enhancing physician communication.
Programs like these can play a crucial role in reducing doctor-shopping by fostering stronger doctor-patient relationships.
Involvement of Patient-Partners:
Interestingly, there’s a growing trend of involving the Patient-Partner. This approach provides a real-life perspective on disease, facilitates the shared decision-making process, and ultimately improves patient outcomes. It’s a holistic method that enhances the relevance of continuing professional development and fosters sensitivity among clinicians to patient needs.
Building Trust Through Shared Decision-Making
Encouraging shared decision-making in healthcare further strengthens the patient-provider relationship, fostering trust and ensuring that patients feel heard and valued. As healthcare professionals, it’s crucial to continually strive to improve communication skills and empathy through CME programs and other educational opportunities.
For a deeper understanding of the significance of shared decision-making, I highly recommend this insightful post by my CME writing coach, Alexandra Howson: Shared Decision Making in Healthcare.
Remember, effective communication is not just about conveying information—it’s about building trust, understanding, and partnership with our patients. Let’s commit to making every patient interaction count and prevent further anxiety and doctor-shopping among the patients.
I am a freelance medical writer who has now branched into CME writing. I would love to discuss your upcoming project and help you with your CME materials.