Can We Change How We Think About Difficult Patients?

OVERVIEW:

We have the power to change how we think about those alcoholics, drug addicts, and demanding parents. Instead of labeling them as challenging, we could choose to think that we are challenged by them. Many of us chose the medical profession because it is challenging, and difficult patients are one of the many expected challenges that will enter the office or emergency department of every medical practitioner. When that sick or injured person arrives, we don’t have to recycle our habitual negative judgments of them. We can choose positive thoughts that lead to positive feelings. Positive emotions like excitement or compassion lead to more productive actions that will meet the challenge and solve the problem. Hear how you can change the way you think about your patients by joining this webinar.

Speaker: Joan Naidorf, DO

OBJECTIVES:

 Review negative thoughts that clinicians have towards some patients with better understanding of common stresses, responses to illness, and certain typical behavior types

 Outline several thought patterns that clinicians have adopted towards difficult patients and explain how changing our thoughts will allow us to feel better about those interactions

 Describe how clinicians can adopt more intentional thoughts about patients and circumstances occurring in the medical office and emergency setting to trigger more positive emotions like curiosity and empathy even with challenging patients

 Discuss how positive emotions like concern and empathy lead to more productive actions taken, which leads to better results with even our most challenging patients

Expiration Date: December 31, 2026

The AOIA designates this activity for a maximum of 1.0 AOA Category 1-A Credit. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.