How Would You Handle A Difficult And Angry Patient?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Invest some time. Sometimes a patient’s anger is really a cry for help or attention. …
  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 handle difficult patients?

  1. Don’t Get Defensive. …
  2. Watch Your Body Language. …
  3. Let Them Tell Their Story and Listen Quietly. …
  4. Acknowledge the Situation. …
  5. Set Boundaries. …
  6. Administer Patient Satisfaction Surveys. …
  7. Be Proactive.

How would you respond to a rude or difficult patient?

  1. Don’t Get Defensive. …
  2. Watch Your Body Language. …
  3. Let Them Tell Their Story and Listen Quietly. …
  4. Acknowledge the Situation. …
  5. Set Boundaries. …
  6. Administer Patient Satisfaction Surveys. …
  7. Be Proactive.

How would you handle an unhappy or uncomfortable patient?

  1. Watch for warning signs. …
  2. Be sensitive. …
  3. Employ technology. …
  4. Remain calm. …
  5. Empower your employees. …
  6. Call in a supervisor. …
  7. Get patient buy-in on a solution. …
  8. Know when to cut your losses.

How do you handle difficult patients or family members?


Focus on developing a therapeutic relationship with your patient’s family

. Pull them aside and invite them to tell you everything they’re worried about. Be patient; the most important thing is to listen. Don’t become defensive, even if their points seem irrational or unjustified.

How do you handle difficult situations at work?

  1. Use Conflict as a Natural Resource. …
  2. Don’t React. …
  3. Deal with Feelings. …
  4. Attack the Problem, Not the Person. …
  5. Practice Direct Communication. …
  6. Look Past Positions to the Underlying Interests. …
  7. Focus on the Future.

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 handle a patient yelling at you?

  1. Invest some time. Sometimes a patient’s anger is really a cry for help or attention. …
  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 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.

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.

How do you comfort a patient family?

  1. 1) Acknowledge that you can’t imagine how they are feeling. …
  2. 2) Ask about their loved one. …
  3. 3) Ask them what they need. …
  4. 4) Help them connect with those who will best support them. …
  5. 5) Ask if they want to speak with a doctor about any questions that have come up.

What do you say to an angry patient?

Ask for the patient’s solution to the problem. Use phrases like, “Can you tell me what you need?” or “Do you have some suggestions on ways to solve this problem?” End the conversation by trying to reach an acceptable arrangement. Offer options by saying, “

Here’s how we could handle this

.”

What makes a patient difficult?

Primary care physicians label up to 30% of their patients as “difficult.”

4 – 8

These patients include those who are psychiatrically and/or medically ill; have complex social circumstances and lack support; have vague symptoms or conditions with little or no likelihood of a cure; behave in angry, manipulative, or hostile …

What is the most common medical complaint?


Sore throat, skin rash, abdominal pain, earache, and backache

were the five most common complaints (302 per 1,000 patients.) These complaints and 19 other problems were responsible for 822 patient visits per 1,000 in a study of 2,272 consecutive new patient visits.

How Do You Talk to an aggressive person?

  1. Remain calm. The absolute most important thing to do when dealing with someone who is being aggressive to you is to be calm and grounded. …
  2. Empathize with the other person. …
  3. Express your concern. …
  4. Be honest with yourself. …
  5. Talk about it.

How do you make a patient feel special?

  1. Remember Individual Details. …
  2. Surveys. …
  3. App. …
  4. Show Your Appreciation. …
  5. Be Attentive. …
  6. Make It Inviting.
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.