How Do You Assist And Calm Down An Angry Patient Over The Phone?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Listen. …
  2. Provide validation to the caller. …
  3. Don’t react emotionally. …
  4. Train yourself to be pleasant. …
  5. Find the root of the problem. …
  6. Offer multiple solutions. …
  7. Avoid putting a caller back on hold. …
  8. Be honest, avoid vague terms, and don’t make promises you can’t keep.

What are the selected approaches to calm an angry patient?

Keep your cool and don’t be manipulated by the patient’s anger. Never get angry yourself or try to set limits by saying, “Calm down” or “

Stop yelling

.” As the fireworks explode, maintain eye contact with the patient and just listen. Try to understand the event that triggered the angry outburst.

How do you de escalate an angry patient on the phone?

  1. Stay Calm. It’s no good if both the caller and call centre staff are getting angry. …
  2. Pick Your Words Wisely. …
  3. Let the Customer Talk. …
  4. Consider Your Way of Speaking. …
  5. Try not to put them on hold. …
  6. Be Honest. …
  7. Stay Positive. …
  8. Use A Script.

What can you do if a patient calls and is being difficult?

  1. Listen to the complaint and identify the problem. …
  2. Don’t lose control. …
  3. Remind the patient you expect to be treated with respect. …
  4. Empathize with the patient. …
  5. Find a solution.

How do you communicate with an angry patient?

  1. Invest some time.
  2. Dial up the empathy.
  3. Keep your cool.
  4. Mind your body language.
  5. Physically protect yourself.
  6. Legally protect yourself.
  7. Try to end the conversation on a positive note.

How do you Descalate an aggressive patient?

  1. Maintain a Calm Demeanor.
  2. Practice Active Listening.
  3. Provide Patients an Opportunity to Vent.
  4. Display a Non-Defensive Posture.
  5. Impart Empathy and Compassion.
  6. Resolution Stage.

How do you de-escalate a psychotic person?

  1. Do not respond in a hostile, disciplinary or challenging manner to the person.
  2. Do not threaten them as this may increase fear or prompt aggressive behaviour.
  3. Avoid raising your voice or talking too fast.

What should you do if a patient complains to you?

  1. Listen. Stop what you are doing, and give your undivided attention to the patient. …
  2. Empathize. Place yourself in the patient’s place. …
  3. Inquire. …
  4. Act. …
  5. Conclude. …
  6. Document.

How do you calm a patient?

  1. Offer a warm reception. When patients come in, greet them warmly with a smile. …
  2. Make the waiting room welcoming and comfortable. …
  3. Offer productive distractions. …
  4. Manage timeline expectations. …
  5. Consider a concierge. …
  6. Engage earnestly. …
  7. Preview the appointment. …
  8. Keep it simple.

What makes patient angry?


An unidentified medical condition or psychiatric disorder

. Some individuals may become very angry or irritable in the context of a medical or psychiatric problem. Withdrawal from an addictive substance such as heroin or the presence of major depression or delirium can present with irritability or agitation.

Why are patients rude?

As our expert author explains the range of reasons that a patient may appear rude are many. For example it can be prompted by

fear, frustration, pain, mental illness, infection

, hypoglycaemia, hearing impairment or any number of complex social, physical or mental issues.

Why are patients so mean?

Patients can

be angry

for a variety of reasons — some of which have nothing to do with their experience at your healthcare practice. Often, angry patients are rude or disrespectful to office staff or even you, the provider. It is natural to feel upset or become defensive when a patient directs their anger toward you.

How do you set boundaries with difficult patients?

  1. Instruct the patient to come to the office only for scheduled follow-up visits and to call only during office hours or in an emergency.
  2. Be upfront about the time allowed for each appointment and ask the patient to help focus the discussion according to his or her main concerns.

What is an aggressive patient?

An aggressive, violent or abusive patient may be

behaving anti-socially or criminally

. But in acute medical settings it is more likely that a medical, mental health or emotional problem, or some combination thereof, is the explanation and usually we will not know the relative contribution of each element.

What are good de-escalation techniques?

  • Be Empathic and Nonjudgmental. Do not judge or be dismissive of the feelings of the person in distress. …
  • Respect Personal Space. …
  • Use Nonthreatening Nonverbals. …
  • Keep Your Emotional Brain in Check. …
  • Focus on Feelings. …
  • Ignore Challenging Questions. …
  • Set Limits. …
  • Choose Wisely What You Insist Upon.

How do you calm down an agitated patient?

  1. Listen to the frustration. Find out what may be causing the agitation, and try to understand.
  2. Provide reassurance. …
  3. Involve the person in activities. …
  4. Modify the environment. …
  5. Find outlets for the person’s energy. …
  6. Check yourself. …
  7. See the doctor. …
  8. Share your experience with others.
James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.