In the area of doctor-patient relationships, recent surveys revealed that patients feel doctors could do a much better job in their communication skills. Patients reported that they would like to have their physician start the visit off with a handshake and that the physician should smile more. African American patients also reported that they would prefer that the physician address them by their first and last name; such as, Mr. Paul Black or Miss Susan White. I am not surprised by these comments and in fact have heard the one about smiling more often from several of my own patients. I would also add another recommendation that I believe is appropriate when interacting with elderly patients - black or white - and that is to never call them by their first name unless given permission to do so.

I took to heart what my patients said about smiling and I am doing better. So if smiling more and shaking a hand help improve the doctor-patient relationship, I say just like the popular song from years ago - “Shake a hand if you can, shake a hand.”
I am Dr. Thaddeus John Bell, closing the gap in healthcare.
6/12/07 5pm.