HOW TO IMPROVE DOCTOR-PATIENT CONNECTION

A physician urges her colleagues to add a human touch to their patient relationships in this guide.

A dermatologist and professor of dermatology and pathology at Yale University, Ko confesses in the introduction that she “failed spectacularly” when one of her new patients “was not willing to step into my examination room ever again.” Revealing this vulnerability is sure to grab the attention of fellow doctors who “may be poor diagnosticians or communicators but think that they are very skilled.” This is one of several intimate personal stories, including the author’s heart-wrenching account of her 2-year-old son’s diagnosis of profound deafness. Her experience enabled Ko to see physicians from a patient’s perspective—a valuable asset in writing a book that focuses on “relationship-centered care.” In some respects, the author’s message to doctors who attend to patients is utterly simple: Be more human. But in scientific fashion, she backs up that exhortation with carefully researched information about metacognition (“thinking about your thinking”), cognitive bias, communication between physicians and patients, and the importance of perceptions. The engaging text is supported by relevant examples, separately highlighted anecdotes, suggested exercises, and further reading, creating a comprehensive volume. Ko’s discussion of perceptions is especially intriguing: The author explores in considerable depth what a physician sees, hears, and feels about a patient and demonstrates how the interplay of these three areas can improve the doctor-patient relationship. For each area (visual, auditory, and emotion perception), Ko offers an overview, examples, and, most importantly, explains “how this applies to doctors and patients.” Much of the material is instructive, but it is also motivational. For example, about failure, the author observes: “Ultimately, failure teaches you the most, shining a light on what can be worked on for continued forward progress.” Discussing diagnosis and treatment, Ko notes “there is also a psychosocial aspect of patient care, and this was never overtly taught to me, although it was the reason that I wanted to become a doctor.” The author admirably weaves her own story together with objective facts to make her treatise highly readable.

Candid, insightful, and actionable health care advice.