Dealing With Difficult Patients: How to Work Through Common Patient Challenges

TIME: 2.5HRS

Dealing With Difficult Patients

How to Work Through Common Patient Challenges

Physicians often have encounters with patients who can be challenging or difficult. There are many reasons why patients may present this way, but there are also several tactics for improving the situation and having a productive relationship. This course will cover:

Common features of difficult patient encounters
Patient rights and responsibilities
What to do when patients threaten legal action
The role of technology in creating challenges
How and when to end a patient relationship

5 CHAPTERS

What Makes a Patient Challenging? Common Characteristics

There are many reasons why a patient may present as 'difficult'; there are also several tactics for improving the situation and having a productive relationship.

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Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Even a difficult patient has the right to expect certain information, treatment, and other courtesies. Respecting those rights is integral to the long-term benefit of both patients and physicians.

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When Patients Threaten Legal Action

What to do when you think a patient may take legal action against you.

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When Technology Makes the Patient Visit Challenging

Advances in technology have improved the practice of medicine in numerous ways but are also cause for potential issues.

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How and When to End a Patient Relationship

One of the most challenging aspects of patient care involves termination of the patient-physician relationship. The key is to do so in an ethical and legal way.

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This content will become available after you have completed the prior chapters.

AUTHORS

Naveed Saleh, MD, MS

Author and medical writer, San Diego, California

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PHYSICIAN BUSINESS ACADEMY

Medscape Physician Business Academy is designed to help all physicians, employed and self-employed as well as new and more established practicing physicians, become successful in their medical practice and career by providing the essential business information that most medical schools and residency programs don't teach.

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BY COMPLETING 8 COURSES YOU WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION. AFTER COMPLETING EACH COURSE, YOU’LL RECEIVE A LETTER OF COMPLETION.

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PHYSICIAN BUSINESS ACADEMY CERTIFICATE

Medscape Physicians Business Academy course content is provided for educational and information purposes only. If you have particular questions or concerns relating to your practice you should consult the appropriate legal, financial or other expert.

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