Gunwant Dhaliwal on Communicating With Patients

Gunwant Dhaliwal is frequently recommended by his patients due to his incredible bedside manner and ability to make patients feel at ease when discussing difficult topics. Gunwant Dhaliwal offers the following suggestions for ensuring that communications with patients go smoothly and ensure the best care and treatment possible.

Get to Know the Patient

For Gunwant Dhaliwal, one of the first steps in making a patient feel comfortable is by getting to know them. Gunwant Dhaliwal always asks his patients how they’re doing, and asks a few personal questions before starting an exam. Talking about school, work, hobbies, sports, or family can help a patient feel less worried, and more like their doctor is interested in them as a person, not just as a set of symptoms.

Supply All Information

A patient doesn’t necessarily need to know all of the intricate medical details that will go into an exam or procedure, but they do need to know the things that will affect them directly. Gunwant Dhaliwal always talks patients through exams and procedures as they happen to ensure that they know what to expect, and similarly discusses side-effects of medication and management of symptoms. Gunwant Dhaliwal believes that patients who are informed feel more in control of their health, and will be more engaged in their treatment plan.

Ask Questions

Although the doctor-patient relationship can often seem like a one-way street, Gunwant Dhaliwal treats all communications with patients as a conversation. Gunwant Dhaliwal asks questions to make sure that patients understand their condition and treatment plan, and always asks patients their preferences when it comes to treatment options.

Remember the Importance of Communication

For many doctors, communication can get lost in medical jargon and a desire to treat a patients symptoms. Gunwant Dhaliwal cautions, however, that doctors should always remember that patients are people with fears, concerns, and often pain, who deserve to know what decisions are being made about their health.