How Doctors Can Support Patients Beyond Their Appointment Times

When you see a doctor, for any reason, it can often feel like you’re in and out with little care to speak of. And seeing as modern healthcare professionals are rushed off their feet, that’s no surprise! But more and more doctors and nurses are taking a stand here; they want to be there for their patients and are finding ways to make that happen. 

Indeed, many patients need far more contact time than the initial appointment. And with the help of technology and new telemedicine methods, it’s becoming easier to extend that care time whenever it’s needed. But there’s still a long way to go! Here are some of the main ways doctors are pioneering new in-touch medical approaches. 

Advocate for Self Care Techniques

Self care is essential in minor cases, such as colds and flu, but it’s also essential for patients to have confidence in their own skills for taking care of themselves. As such, most healthcare bodies will advocate for self care techniques from home, and you’ll hear a lot more about providing your own medical aid. 

It’s why self care is very much in the modern mindset. Mental health days, for example, are only a recently accepted reason for taking time to yourself away from other responsibilities. However, they’ve long been needed and are a huge boon to society at large. 

Provide Plenty of Aftercare Options

Aftercare is an essential part of the care process, but it can often be forgotten about as well. And that’s the number one thing that doctors need to focus on in this new decade. Being able to keep up with a patient after a diagnosis and initial treatment keeps them healthier and safer, and thankfully, technology is helping us to cross that gap. 

For example, if you’re diagnosed with a form of hearing loss, hearing aids can easily be prescribed to allow you to live a comfortable life. And taking care of your hearing aid is easier than ever with upgrades in modern medicine, as well as having access to bonafide medical advice over the internet straight from your home. 

Stay in Touch with a Patient’s Emotions

Finally, most professionals now undergo training to better connect to a patient’s emotional state. Being able to see things from their point of view, as well as empathise with their fear and concerns (even when they’re slightly aggressive!) really helps to smooth an appointment through. 

Many patients just need that extra bit of support from the person they’re seeing. A quiet word that shows the professional understands where someone is coming from can provide a world of comfort to the other side of the table. Quick, easy, but important. 

Supporting patients beyond that first meeting is key in the modern world of medicine. A healthcare professional should be able to assess your needs face to face, and then keep up with you over the phone. Most of all, they should be able to make you as comfortable as possible! 

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