Patients want to hear the right diagnosis. Physicians want patient satisfaction. What can physicians and medical students do to ensure both of these initiatives are met?
According to the findings of a recent study published in Academic Medicine, researchers held a 90-minute workshop at six institutions — including the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, New York City-based Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center — between 2011 and 2012.
During the workshop, researchers instructed 156 medical students, residents and faculty physicians about the importance of patient facial expressions. Through a series of examples and interactive exercises, participants learned how to read facial expressions and use the knowledge to better communicate with and diagnose patients.
The workshop was successful, according to the study's findings. Prior to the workshop, only 54.7 percent of participants were able to correctly identify patient emotions, but after the workshop, the percentage increased to 79.6.
In addition, 73.3 percent of participants said what they learned during the workshop would help them manage difficult encounters. About 95.5 percent said the workshop would be useful in helping them identify patient emotions.