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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
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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
ABOUT
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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COURSE BENEFITS

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.