Communication

Around 80 percent of the information your doctor needs to make a correct diagnosis comes from what you say. The remaining pieces of the puzzle are found when during examination and from tests. Poor communication can lead to missed diagnoses, patient resentment, noncompliance, and complications. Communication goes two ways. Physicians do not always communicate as well as they might. George Bernard Shaw "the single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." The heart of this problem is that physicians and patients speak with different voices. While physicians use medical terminology, patients use everyday words. Good patient communication involves recognizing and responding to the patient as a whole person. Patient communication is a crucial component of all medical specialties<.p> Patient satisfaction - Medical evidence has demonstrated a positive association between patients' satisfaction with the health care they receive and their providers' ability and willingness to communicate and empathize with them.

Patient-physician rapport is one of the most important factors in preventing sub-optimal results in plastic surgery. Excellent rapport begins with a thorough consultation. An accurate health history, along with a detailed physical examination, reveals the problem and possible treatment options. Communication between patient and surgeon includes a comprehensive description of the benefits and risks of each treatment option. A discussion of ideal breast implant size is important for each patient. Breast and chest measurements, as well as patient preference, play a significant role in implant size selection. Other variables to discuss include incision site for insertion of the implants, location of the implant under or over the muscle, and breast implant shape. All of these decisions together minimize the risk for sub-optimal results in plastic surgery. In patients seeking liposuction, excellent physician-patient communication and trust motivates patients to change their lifestyles prior to any surgery. A healthy diet, along with an appropriate exercise routine, increases the body's metabolism and leads to far better results than liposuction alone. Explanation of body proportion avoids impractical expectations. Rhinoplasty patients need to convey their exact desired nose to their plastic surgeon. The perfect method to convey an ideal nose is to bring photos of other noses patients envision having as their own.

Excellent physician-patient rapport is perhaps most important in revision plastic surgery procedures. With goals of improving an imperfect result, surgeons and patients must really discuss all treatment options as well as their risks, benefits and limitations. Patient-physician communication is not only essential in selecting the ideal treatment choice, but also in avoiding surgery all together at times. The best outcome of detailed discussions during plastic surgery consultations is the avoidance of unnecessary procedures. Excellent surgeons are not only determined by their technical skills, but also their ability to decide when not to operate. Repeat consultations with plastic surgeons will aid patients in developing the physician rapport necessary in achieving ideal surgical outcomes or avoiding unnecessary surgery all together.