How not to be "that doctor"

You have heard your patients describe bad experiences with other physicians. Deserved or not, their complaints should cause all of us to strive not to be "that doctor":

• Recognize that the patient has been waiting. When a patient has had to wait more than 15 minutes, your first words to the patient should be, "Thank you for waiting." If possible, let your patient know why you are running late.
• Provide adequate patient education. If you want your patient to remember more than two things after the visit, put your instructions in writing, and offer visual aids when appropriate. Patients who have just been diagnosed with a chronic condition should be given a thorough handout explaining the disease in simple language.

Adapted from "Ten Sins of Office Medicine."