By James H. Calandruccio, MD

‘Becoming your patient’ is my single best tip for good patient communication.   As health care providers we must use communication methods suitable for each individual patient which can be, I believe, essentially becoming your patient.   Regardless of the problem(s) that your patient may have, becoming that patient should allow you to discern the problem(s) that particular patient may have in terms they understand.   This type of interaction can be natural and seamless. 

Needless to say, this type of interaction requires sitting down in front of your patient prior to physical examination, looking directly into their eyes, and being attentive as they describe the issues which have brought them into your office.  Such focus can make your patient’s level of understanding about their own problem(s) clear to you.  Hence you ‘become the patient’ through your carefully chosen language to explain their condition as well as the treatment(s) planned to try to help them. 

Yes, ‘becoming your patient’ helps to convey both the patient’s medical problem and treatment options.