How Healthcare Professionals Can Build More Trust with Patients
If you’ve always dreamt of starting a career in healthcare, well, it’s best to just go ahead and recognize immediately that just because of your position in your job, it doesn’t instantly mean people trust you or your expertise. It’s a harsh reality, but there’s a lot of truth to it. Yes, trust isn’t instant, especially not in healthcare.
You need to keep in mind that patients come in with their guard up, hoping for answers but not always sure they’ll get the care or attention they need. Overall, building trust takes time, and in a world where rushed appointments and vague explanations are the norm, it takes effort to stand out.
The thing is, trust isn’t just about being good at what you do; it’s about making patients feel like they’re in the right place with the right person. But what can a healthcare professional do to help create that bond?
Be Transparent, Even When It’s Tough
Well, transparency is where trust begins. Patients don’t just want to know what’s happening; they want to know why it’s happening, too. And they definitely don’t want to leave the office with more questions than they came in with. So, just explaining things in plain, simple language, not medical “mumbo jumbo,” goes a long way. Patients should feel like they’re part of the process, not just along for the ride.
And yes, honesty is especially crucial here, even when it’s uncomfortable. Sure, sometimes, news is overwhelming, but there needs to be a human-centric approach to take care of it.
Deliver on Promises
Alright, so here’s the thing: if you say you’re going to do something, do it. Few things hurt trust more than a missed follow-up or forgotten detail. If you promise to call with test results, make that call. If you say you’ll send a referral, get it done. Patients remember when you follow through, and they definitely remember when you don’t. Seriously, a lot of healthcare professionals make this mistake!
Cut Down the Wait for Results
Seriosuly, nobody likes waiting, especially when it’s for something as stress-inducing as test results. On top of that, long delays make patients feel like their worries are stuck in limbo, and that’s a fast track to frustration, too.
While yes, you’re going to have your limitations as well, they should be recognized, too. But if you’re able to get access to digital pathology solutions, such as your practice working with a lab that offers accurate test results back rather (rather than annoying back-and-forth responses that take forever), then that alone is going to massively help, too.
Overall, patients don’t just appreciate the speed; they notice that their provider is working to make the whole process less stressful. For them, faster results mean it’s going to be faster to trust you because they were counting on you to pull some strings on your end to get those results.
Actually, Show That You Care
No one wants to feel like they’re being rushed out the door. Patients know when they’re being listened to and when their concerns are going in one ear and out the other. Just because they didn’t go to medical school doesn’t mean they’re stupid. Active listening means letting them speak without cutting in and responding thoughtfully. You really need to show that you care.
