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Repairing "Difficult" Patient-Clinician Relationships
Denise M Dudzinski1, Carrol Alvarez2
1Professor and the chair of the Department of Bioethics & Humanities, and chief of the UW Medicine Ethics Consultation Service at University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine.
Abstract:
Using a case example, we offer guidance for improving "difficult" clinician-patient relationships. These relationships may be repaired by acknowledging a clinician's part in conflict, empathizing with patients, identifying a patient's skill deficits, and employing communication and engagement techniques used by mental health professionals. Clinicians will inevitably take on more of the work of repairing damaged relationships, but doing so improves the odds of these patients receiving the help they need.
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