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Research ArticleOriginal Research

Influence of Watchful Waiting on Satisfaction and Anxiety Among Patients Seeking Care for Unexplained Complaints

Marloes A. van Bokhoven, Hèlen Koch, Trudy van der Weijden, Richard P. T. M. Grol, Arnold D. Kester, Paula E. L. M. Rinkens, Patrick J. E. Bindels and Geert-Jan Dinant
The Annals of Family Medicine March 2009, 7 (2) 112-120; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.958
Marloes A. van Bokhoven
MD, PhD
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Hèlen Koch
MD, PhD
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Trudy van der Weijden
MD, PhD
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Richard P. T. M. Grol
PhD
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Arnold D. Kester
PhD
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Paula E. L. M. Rinkens
BSc
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Patrick J. E. Bindels
MD, PhD
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Geert-Jan Dinant
MD, PhD
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  • The Value of Clinical Communication
    James T Hardee
    Published on: 12 March 2009
  • Published on: (12 March 2009)
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    The Value of Clinical Communication
    • James T Hardee, Denver, USA

    This is a wonderful article that, like many before it, confirm the importance of good clinical communication and a strong physician-patient relationship. An interesting aspect of this study is that in patients with unexplained and presumably non-serious symptoms, physician communication is ostensibly more "therapeutic" than the ordering of unnecessary tests.

    It is known that ordering unnecessary tests (labs, x...

    Show More

    This is a wonderful article that, like many before it, confirm the importance of good clinical communication and a strong physician-patient relationship. An interesting aspect of this study is that in patients with unexplained and presumably non-serious symptoms, physician communication is ostensibly more "therapeutic" than the ordering of unnecessary tests.

    It is known that ordering unnecessary tests (labs, x-rays, CT/MRIs, biopsies, etc) can lead to unintended consequences and increased cost of care. It is reassuring to find that listening carefully and taking the patient seriously can lead to increased patient satisfaction.

    I've heard it said that "patients don't want reassurance, they want empathy and understanding." While this may not be entirely accurate in all circumstances, it does support the notion that a physician's "bedside manner" may be as important as objective testing. That is, indiscriminate testing should not be a substitute for good communication.

    Patients' "unreasonable demands" for tests, medications, referrals and the like are often a proxy for continuity, trust and access with a physician or medical system. Conversely, when patients do like and trust their physician and have adequate access to that provider for questions, concerns, and information, the desire for unnecessary testing often decreases.

    As this article so nicely demonstrates, physicians should not underestimate the value of the time, understanding and caring they devote to their patients, especially as it pertains to unnecessary testing. Listening and empathy are incredibly valuable and cost-effective communication skills from a diagnostic and therapeutic standpoint.

    Finally, I had a Dermatologist colleague say once that "our job is to take seriously that which is not necessarily serious." By that he meant that many of the skin lesions he would see were not of a pathologically "serious" nature, but to the patient who made the appointment, the lesions were quite concerning. Through the use of several of the communication skills mentioned in this paper, he would seek to understand the patient's concern, demonstrate empathy, and then form a medically appropriate care plan.

    Competing interests:   None declared

    Show Less
    Competing Interests: None declared.
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The Annals of Family Medicine: 7 (2)
The Annals of Family Medicine: 7 (2)
Vol. 7, Issue 2
1 Mar 2009
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Influence of Watchful Waiting on Satisfaction and Anxiety Among Patients Seeking Care for Unexplained Complaints
Marloes A. van Bokhoven, Hèlen Koch, Trudy van der Weijden, Richard P. T. M. Grol, Arnold D. Kester, Paula E. L. M. Rinkens, Patrick J. E. Bindels, Geert-Jan Dinant
The Annals of Family Medicine Mar 2009, 7 (2) 112-120; DOI: 10.1370/afm.958

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Influence of Watchful Waiting on Satisfaction and Anxiety Among Patients Seeking Care for Unexplained Complaints
Marloes A. van Bokhoven, Hèlen Koch, Trudy van der Weijden, Richard P. T. M. Grol, Arnold D. Kester, Paula E. L. M. Rinkens, Patrick J. E. Bindels, Geert-Jan Dinant
The Annals of Family Medicine Mar 2009, 7 (2) 112-120; DOI: 10.1370/afm.958
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