1815 S. Clinton Ave Suite 405
Rochester, NY 14618
NOTICE:
Our Practice has MOVED
Our new location is:
Suite 405
1815 South Clinton Ave
Rochester, NY, 14618.
The NEW phone number is 585-565-3500
Our Practice has MOVED
Our new location is:
Suite 405
1815 South Clinton Ave
Rochester, NY, 14618.
The NEW phone number is 585-565-3500
For appointments call
585.565.3500
Fax Number:
585.434.4081
585.565.3500
Fax Number:
585.434.4081
Understanding Expectations and Perceptions
May 6th, 2012
At the beginning of April, I began asking all my patients to complete a brief "Satisfaction survey" regarding their visit, the appointment process, and their overall care experience. In addition to its value in demonstrating our authentic interest in feedback, the information has highlighted that perception may not always conform with reality. In other words, though I may feel as though a patient was totally satisfied, it may not always be the case--entirely. The most useful information these surveys provide is not what confirms how often we "hit the mark"----but where we do not, and for what reasons. Usually there is a slight gap between our perception of the visit, and the patient's. Put differently---we may not meet the patient's "expctations."
What's the solution? Usually, it's as simple as understnding just that----and continuing the dialogue. Through identifying a mutual goal, thus establishing a trusting partnership, and in prioritizng mutual respect--acknowleging our shared commitment to both the patient-doctor-relationship, and the treatment objectives, we can "hit the mark."
Effective communication is integral to this, which necessitates effective listening on my part, as well as authentic participation in the dialogue by the patient. To that end, at the end of a visit, I try to ask 2-3x whether there are any remaining questions.
It's been eye-opening how staisfying this is for me, as well as my patients. While I may have assumed in the past that I'd be queued if there were questions or concerns left unanswered, this is not always the case.
The whole notion of how to maximize the value of our interaction during an office visit is captured in a book called "Crucial Conversations"---and it revolves around using dialogue to fill the "pool of meaning." When we do this, we more effectively treat the whole patient--not merely their sore shoulder, hand or elbow. And, most importantly, perception and reality become one and the same.
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