Eyeworld

EW NEWS & OPINION March 2015 47 Ultimately, the reimburse- ment system has to change so that physicians are reimbursed for time spent with patients, but doctors and patients themselves need to be part of the solution, Dr. Wen said. "I think that multiple things have to change, but I also believe that change has to start with each of us," Dr. Wen said. EW wants to address that reason quickly. Yet even in a hectic environment such as an emergency room or in a specialty where the diagnosing physician never meets the patient, things can be done. In 2008, a group of radiologists presented data at the annual meet- ing of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) showing that when a patient's photo was included with imaging exam results, the treat- ing radiologist examined the images more meticulously and took a more personal and empathetic approach. "The photos were very helpful in terms of improving diagnosis and the physicians' feelings as caregiv- ers," said Yehonatan Turner, MD, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusa- lem, Israel, the study's lead author, in a press release from RSNA. "Our study emphasizes approaching the patient as a human being and not as an anonymous case study." "One way of thinking of people as individuals is to ask them some- thing personal," Dr. Wen said. "We know that stories are what humaniz- es us and what connects us, so iden- tify every patient with a particular story. "I would also encourage doctors to understand people not as the particular condition that they came in with, but as the impact that the condition has on their lives," she added. Dr. Khandelwal thinks that communication is key, and not just between the doctor and the patient. "Patients want to feel the visit is fo- cused on them, and that starts when they call for their appointment from home," she said. "Continuing the communication with technologies such as a patient portal, secure emails, and efficient answering of phone calls is important. Lastly, a few quality minutes of physician chair time can help establish a rela- tionship early on." Understanding the patient's goals for care is also important, she said. The physician should assess whether patients are looking for quick, efficient appointments for their regular exams or if they are looking for a physician to be a fix- ture in their lives. "I often find myself telling impatient patients that if they want an in-and-out type of doctor and appointments that are guaranteed to be completed quickly, they may not want to see me at an academic cen- ter on a Friday afternoon," she said. "These patients appreciate honesty about what a clinic can and cannot provide." The burden of communication does not lie solely with the doctor, according to Dr. Wen. As a patient, knowing your own medical history and writing down that history is paramount, she said. Additionally, elderly patients should bring some- one with them to appointments, especially if they have difficulty remembering. Editors' note: Drs. Khandelwal and Wen have no financial interests related to their comments. Contact information Khandelwal: sumitra.khandelwal@bcm.edu Wen: wen.leana@gmail.com Treating the person continued from page 45 The specialists in single-use. www.malosa.com • LASIK / LASEK / ReLEx / PRK • Phaco • Oculoplastics • IVT • Strabismus • Sub-Tenons ... "Malosa's single-use instruments and procedure packs provide optimal patient safety and brand new, flawless instruments for every eye." Prof. Dan Z Reinstein, MD MA(Cantab) FRCSC DABO FRCOphth FEBO - The London Vision Clinic • Brand new instruments, every time. • Zero cross-contamination risk. • Increased patient throughput. The specialists in single-use. View our online brochure. Complete range of Instruments and Procedure Packs for all Ophthalmic specialties. Over 350 Instruments & 400 Packs for all specialties. ASCRS BOOTH 2939

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