“You have X, this is what it is, take this medicine and this is what should happen but if this happens then do this”,
They may not believe you (“But I just want antibiotics”) and/or not follow advice (+/- trust in you). (It’s more complicated in real life, of course, we explore the patient’s ideas/concerns/expectations, and make sure these are also satisfied, which is usually more important than anything else, as well as making a plan together—fun to do in 10 min)
If you describe your logical thinking to the patient and say:
“Because you have said X and Y, and on examination I have found Z, and with these findings these are the possible diagnosis, and these are the diagnoses that aren’t likely, so take this...”
They are much more likely to believe you and do as you suggest, especially if there is a lot of uncertainty (as there often is):
If you’re not sure what is happening, rather than lying (which the patient can probably tell), explaining ones thinking and describing why there is uncertainty I find often leads to more confidence and trust:
“You have told me X, and you have Y symptoms, which is odd as they don’t point to a particular condition. These symptoms may mean A, and those B. Although it is very unlikely that there is anything serious, I think we should do Q and P, and review a week later. If M or N happens, tell me sooner”.
Good idea, and works in Medicine.
If you see a patient and say:
“You have X, this is what it is, take this medicine and this is what should happen but if this happens then do this”,
They may not believe you (“But I just want antibiotics”) and/or not follow advice (+/- trust in you). (It’s more complicated in real life, of course, we explore the patient’s ideas/concerns/expectations, and make sure these are also satisfied, which is usually more important than anything else, as well as making a plan together—fun to do in 10 min)
If you describe your logical thinking to the patient and say:
“Because you have said X and Y, and on examination I have found Z, and with these findings these are the possible diagnosis, and these are the diagnoses that aren’t likely, so take this...”
They are much more likely to believe you and do as you suggest, especially if there is a lot of uncertainty (as there often is):
If you’re not sure what is happening, rather than lying (which the patient can probably tell), explaining ones thinking and describing why there is uncertainty I find often leads to more confidence and trust:
“You have told me X, and you have Y symptoms, which is odd as they don’t point to a particular condition. These symptoms may mean A, and those B. Although it is very unlikely that there is anything serious, I think we should do Q and P, and review a week later. If M or N happens, tell me sooner”.