Statements of orientation
One of the skills identified in physicians who had lower litigation risk was that they frequently used “statements of orientation” which, according to Levinson and colleague, are statements that “educat[e] patients about what to expect and the flow of a visit”.5 This helps create an outline for what the patient is going to experience during his ED stay. This is a doable skill that is easily implemented into an emergency medicine practice. When we take a few moments to explain, to the best of our ability, what the ED experience will likely look like to our patients, we may reduce fear and anxiety. If done correctly, this one simple communication skill can be the foundation on which we build the entire patient-physician relationship.
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