ADVICE
«
Advice is like medicine: easy to give, hard to take.
(Al
Silverman)
Giving
advice is an essential part of medical and nursing care, but
in advanced disease the patient has often been through many
investigations and treatments, and may therefore have strong
views about his past experiences and future management. It
becomes increasingly important to discuss options with the
patient.
«
Patients listen to you, if you listen to them.
Compliance with advice is improved if:
- The
advice is consistent with the patient’s beliefs.
(“Do
you have any thoughts about what might be causing it?”)
- The
patient feels involved in making decisions. (“What have
you tried already?”)
- The
patient is satisfied with the consultation.
(“The doctor seems to understand how I feel.”)
- The
advice is clearly and simply explained. (see Explanation)
- The
advice is given with authority and conviction.
«
Avoid the expression “if I were you . . .” which can sound
patronizing. It is sometimes helpful to share your honest
feelings about “If it were me . . .”
«
Good advice seldom hurts anyone because so few people take it
seriously. (C.G. Jung)
The author and publisher have taken
precautions to ensure that the information in this book is
error-free. However, readers must be guided by their own
personal and professional standards of good practice in
evaluating and applying recommendations made herein. The
contents of this book represent the views and experience of
the author, and not necessarily those of the publisher.
