Virtual Mentor. August 2005, Volume 7, Number 8.

August 2005 Contents

Difficult Conversations in Medicine

Ethics Poll

How would you rate your communication with your own physician?
Excellent
Good
Okay
Poor
Very Poor

When an awkward situation arises between you and a coworker, your approach generally is to:
Ask the coworker to discuss the situation at the first possible convenient moment.
Wait to see whether the situation recurs.
Inquire from others whether they have had similar experiences with the coworker.
Ask your supervisor or the coworker's supervisor what to do about the situation.

Due to a physician or pharmacy error, you received a greater-than-intended drug dose that caused temporary discomfort but no long-term harm. Your physician describes how the error occurred and apologizes for it. As a result:
You are likely to pursue litigation against the doctor or hospital now that you have acknowledgement of the error.
Your actions are not affected one way or the other by the apology.
You appreciate the honesty, retain trust in the physician, and are unlikely to take legal action.

From the Editor

Learning to Talk and Listen
Audiey C. Kao
Full Text | PDF

Educating for Professionalism

Vignettes

Vignette 1: Physician-to-Patient Communication
Disclosing Error to a Patient
Commentary by Geoffrey H. Gordon
Full Text | PDF

Vignette 2: Physician to Patient in Clinical Trials
Hoping for the Best, Preparing for the Worst
Commentary by Frederic W. Platt
Full Text | PDF

Vignette 3: Colleague-to-Colleague Communication
Frame Feedback to Improve Professional Performance
Commentary by Barbara F. Sharf
Full Text | PDF

Vignette 4: Physician-to-Nurse Communication
Following the Golden Rule toward Respectful Relationships
Commentary by Richard Sheff
Full Text | PDF

Vignette 5: Physician-to-Drug Rep Communication
Finding the (Right) Time
Commentary by Michael E. Roloff and Rachel Malis
Full Text | PDF

Vignette 6: Resident to Patient's Family and Attending Physician
Responding to Insensitive Remarks about a Patient
Commentary by James T. Hardee
Full Text | PDF

Vignette 7: Resident-to-Student Communication
Giving Honest Feedback
Commentary by Benjamin Blatt
Full Text | PDF