Treating My Patients Like Family

Tableside Manner: A Skill I Need for Success

As you read the title to this article, what are the first thoughts that come to your mind? What exactly is tableside manner supposed to mean?  You may correctly deduct that tableside manner is a close cousin to bedside manner which is often used to describe the interactions patients have with health care providers. 

Is this something I care about? Absolutely! I never forget that a whole head full of knowledge and Chiropractic skills are nothing without an ability to positively conduct myself around patients.  In order to deliver the quality of health care my patients deserve, good tableside manner is quintessential.

Tableside manner is a term describing how a healthcare professional handles a patient. A good tableside manner is typically one that reassures and comforts the patient. Vocal tones, body language, openness, presence, and concealment of attitude may all affect tableside manner.

A lot of tableside manner is a reflection of our own personalities. The key is to understand that each patient I interact with has their own set of needs and wants.  Part of delivering good health care is to understand what the patient needs and how I are going to give it to them.

How I conduct myselft with my patients is an important key to not only establishing effective relationships, but maintaining them as well. I have made a list of some important points for I always consider with every patient:

Listen to the patients like they are the only ones in the world who matter:

Everyone likes to be heard when they speak.  We have all tried to have a conversation with someone who seemed to look past your or not really care what you had to say to them.  Look at your patients in the eyes when they speak to you. Nod your head or give them some appropriate facial expressions and let them know you are listening.

I try to keep my eyes focused on theirs when I talk or speak to a patient.  I often lean closer towards my patients and turn my head so that my right ear can hear them better.

Treat people like they are part of your own family:

Patients are intelligent people.  They can understand when if someone is being genuine and speaking from the heart. They can also tell when you are just plain trying to sell them something.  I operate on the premise that the treatment plan or the suggestions I make to the patient are the same ones I would make for one of my own family members. I want the patient to understand that I am genuinely concerned for their welfare.

Feel empathy and sympathy for what the patients’ ailments:

When patients come into my office and they are in pain, they are looking for acknowledgement and understanding.  They want to know that there is a reason why they are experiencing their discomfort and that they are not just crazy.  I will do my best to show you that I understand the pain that you are going through and I will do my very best to get you feeling better as fast as I can.

Respect people’s time.

You show people that you respect their time by being “On Time” with your scheduled appointments. One of the biggest complaints of patients about their doctors is that they make them wait.  I have heard patient stories of having to wait 1.5 hours in doctors’ offices for appointments.  That is just plain rude.  Your time is just as valuable as mine.

If you schedule with me for a certain time, I do my best to see you at that time.  I am not late very often because I know you have things to do as well.

Empower the patient with knowledge

When patients come into us looking for help, there is a time when holding their hand and leading them through the phases of healing is appropriate.  But even on the first day when you work with your patients, you can teach them a multitude of information that they can use to help themselves feel better.

I can teach my patients about their particular ailment, teach them about how I am going to help them and then teach them about what they can do at home to keep themselves feeling better.  Most people appreciate learning all they can so that they feel less like a victim and more like they are in control. 

Offer lots of quality products and Goods to help patients feel their best:

 In my office, I have a multitude of products that I can offer people that are of excellent quality. These range from:

a. Custom molded foot orthotics (Foot Levelers Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers)

b. Pillows for sleeping

c. Nutritional supplements

d. Low back braces, cushions, etc.

When all is said and done, the way I act towards patients shows how much I care about them.