What is an example of a difficult patient?

Patients who are angry, frightened, or defensive can present with clenched fists, furrowed brows, hand-wringing, and altered breathing. You'll also probably receive notice from staff about these patients before entering the room.


What is considered a difficult patient?

Difficult patients are defined as those who elicit strong negative emotions from their physicians. If not acknowledged and managed correctly, these feelings can lead to diagnostic errors, unpleasant confrontations, and troublesome complaints or legal claims.

How do you deal with difficult patients examples?

Here's how to handle challenging patients:
  1. Create a suitable environment. ...
  2. Listen carefully. ...
  3. Give an empathetic response. ...
  4. Identify the cause of the problem. ...
  5. Ask for help. ...
  6. Repair the relationship. ...
  7. Maintain professionalism. ...
  8. Use appropriate nonverbal communication.


How do you answer how would you handle a difficult patient?

5 Tips for Handling Difficult Patients
  1. Listen to the complaint and identify the problem. ...
  2. Don't lose control. ...
  3. Remind the patient you expect to be treated with respect. ...
  4. Empathize with the patient. ...
  5. Find a solution.


What are the 4 types of patients?

The 4 Types of Patients You'll Care for As A Communication Manager
  • The self-diagnoser (The researcher)
  • The skeptic.
  • The passive independent.
  • The open-minded “explorer”


Dealing with Difficult Patients for Nurses



Why are some patients so difficult?

Difficulties may be traced to patient, physician, or health care system factors. Patient factors include psychiatric disorders, personality disorders, and subclinical behavior traits. Physician factors include overwork, poor communication skills, low level of experience, and discomfort with uncertainty.

How do nurses deal with difficult patients?

Maintain empathy.

Especially if they have been admitted to a hospital, they may feel helpless and out of control. Put yourself in their shoes, and demonstrate that you understand how they feel by listening to them with patience. Treat them as you would treat a model patient, free of judgement and with respect.

What is the best way to respond to difficult situations?

Tips
  1. Be Realistic - change takes time; appreciate the small steps of improvement.
  2. Stay friendly - work up to the more difficult topics; don't make negative comments. ...
  3. Be optimistic - remember the good things about this person; try not to generalize criticisms (do not use "always" or "never").


How would you handle a patient who complains about everything?

How to Handle Patient Complaints
  • Listen to them. As basic as it may sound, this is your first and most important step when dealing with an unhappy patient. ...
  • Acknowledge their feelings. ...
  • Ask questions. ...
  • Explain and take action. ...
  • Conclude. ...
  • Document complaints.


How did you handle difficult patients clients?

Listening is the best thing you can do

If a patient or family member becomes difficult the best thing you can do is to actively listen to their concerns. It is important to give them the opportunity to have their say and for you to empathise with them and acknowledge that they have been heard.

How do you provide support to a patient who is struggling with a difficult decision?

Here are some ways you can help patients who are facing difficult and stressful choices.
  1. Appreciate that not everyone has a decisional conflict. ...
  2. Present information in ways patients can understand. ...
  3. Acknowledge the importance of feelings and values. ...
  4. Develop decision-making expertise.


How do you handle a rude patient?

Here are tips that can help you get a positive response at the end of your interaction.
  1. Stay calm and maintain good body posture. ...
  2. Actively listen to the patient. ...
  3. Respond to the anger. ...
  4. Remain calm. ...
  5. Reframe the situation. ...
  6. Acknowledge their grievances. ...
  7. Set boundaries. ...
  8. Acknowledge their concerns.


What is a problem list for a patient?

Problem List – A list of current and active diagnoses as well as past diagnoses relevant to the current care of the patient.

What are the 5 different types of patient?

5 Types of Patients (and How They've Changed in the Last 15 Years...
  • The Independent Skeptic. One of the toughest to deal with, this type of patient is naturally skeptical about expert advice. ...
  • The Researcher. ...
  • The Passive Dependent. ...
  • “I'm flexible” ...
  • The Open-minded “Explorer”


What are the 3 types of patients?

even in the early stages of your practice.
  • In general, there are three types of patients.
  • Patient #1: “I Have a Problem”
  • Patient #2: Check-Ups and Routine Visits.
  • Patient #3: Patients Looking to Switch Practices.
  • Marketing That Targets All Three Target Markets.


What is the most common patient complaint?

Studies have found that the vast majority of hospital patient complaints are related to the customer service they receive, specifically in the areas of:
  • Staff/Patient Communication: 53 percent.
  • Long Wait Times: 35 percent.
  • Practice Staff Behavior: 12 percent.
  • Billing Discrepencies: 2 percent.


How would you handle an unhappy or uncomfortable patient?

How to respond to upset or angry patients
  1. Notice they're upset: “You look really upset."
  2. Listen to their story: “Tell me all about it.”
  3. Show empathy: "I am so sorry that is happening to you."
  4. Get their input for a solution: "How would you like me to help?"
  5. Offer next steps: "Here's what I am willing to do."


How do you respond when someone complains to you?

11 Phrases to Effectively Respond to Complaining
  1. "Go on. I'm listening." ...
  2. "Let me see if I got that." ...
  3. "Is there more?"
  4. 4. " ...
  5. "What would you like to see happen next?" ...
  6. 6. " ...
  7. "What did they say when you discussed this with them?"
  8. "What steps have you taken to try to solve the problem?"


How do you communicate with difficult people?

Tips for Communicating with Difficult People
  1. Listen– try to hear what they are really upset about. ...
  2. Stay Calm– if you can see the situation getting out of hand quickly, stay as calm as possible. ...
  3. Don't Judge– try not to judge this person.


How do you get along with difficult people?

13 Steps to Get Along with Difficult People
  1. Be a good listener, especially before reacting. ...
  2. Don't be judgmental. ...
  3. Get someone else's perspective while also avoiding gossip. ...
  4. Be respectful. ...
  5. Give a peace offering. ...
  6. Identify their hidden need. ...
  7. Offer compliments.


How do you counsel a difficult patient?

However, let's expand a bit further on each one.
  1. Empathize With the Patient. The most important thing you can do when dealing with a difficult patient is to empathize with them. ...
  2. Let the Patient Tell Their Story. ...
  3. Stay Calm, Cool, and Collected. ...
  4. Don't Take it Personally. ...
  5. Connect With the Patient.


How do you set boundaries with difficult patients?

Set boundaries
  1. Instruct the patient to come to the office only for scheduled follow-up visits and to call only during office hours or in an emergency.
  2. Be upfront about the time allowed for each appointment and ask the patient to help focus the discussion according to his or her main concerns.


How do hospitals deal with difficult patients?

Here are six helpful tips for dealing with an angry patient in a professional and productive way.
  1. Stay Calm. ...
  2. Listen to Their Concerns. ...
  3. Find a Way to Connect With the Patient. ...
  4. Set Boundaries. ...
  5. Address Their Concerns. ...
  6. Don't Take It Personally. ...
  7. How to Protect Yourself From a Combative Patient.


What makes patient angry?

Other common triggers for anger in parents are when you feel like your partner isn't helping, when your child misbehaves or gets angry at you, or when you're stressed about something like finances or relationships. Sometimes, having a baby can trigger emotions and trauma from your own childhood.

Why do doctors find some patients difficult to help?

Three common types of difficulty were identified; medically unexplained symptoms; co-existing social problems; and severe untreatable illness.