How to Answer Patients' Questions

It is very important not to give off-the-cuff answers to questions that may seem casual. The patient may pop the question that way because of fear, or may not realize how complicated the question really is.

A careless, quick or off-the-cuff answer, even to a seemingly off-the-cuff question, is neither therapeutic nor safe. It also devalues our profession. Not every answer we give needs to be lengthy, but every answer or intervention needs to be proportionate to the problem. A question about dandruff may be appropriately answered in a sentence or two, but certainly not a question about headaches or weight issues…

I usually lean back slightly, widen my eyes, nod and say: “Now, that’s a big question that can’t be answered well in just a few words. There are even specialists in Boston who deal with nothing but that their entire careers. I could sit down with you some time and start working on it if you want.”

Answers to patient questions may not always be simple [KevinMD]