Going beyond the bed number and a billable encounter by Gavin Warner, M.D.
In the fast-paced environment of Hospitalist Medicine, it’s easy to fall into the habit of seeing “the patient” as a diagnosis, a bed number, a chart to be updated, a billable encounter. But behind every patient is a person: someone with fears, questions, and a unique story. Recognizing this distinction is essential for compassionate, effective care.
The Patient: Fulfilling a Role
When we refer to “the patient,” we often mean someone who has accepted their role within the hospital hierarchy. The patient is expected to follow the physician’s orders, often without question. They may feel subjugated to the authority of the medical team, hesitant to speak up or make requests that could be seen as inconvenient. This dynamic can streamline care, but it risks overlooking the individual’s needs and concerns.
The Person: A Human in Need
The person lying in the hospital bed is more than a diagnosis. They are likely to be a little scared, even if they appear calm and respectful. They may have questions about their condition, their treatment, and their future. The person wants to be heard and understood, not just treated. Increasingly, patients and their families turn to online AI resources to learn about their conditions. This can lead to confusion or discrepancies between what they’ve read and what the physician has explained. The person may be hoping for clarification, reassurance, or a conversation that bridges the gap between digital information and real-world expertise.
Bridging the Gap: Meeting Both Needs
To provide truly patient-centered care, physicians must see both the patient and the person. This means:
- Building relationships: Try to find at least one unique area of interest that the patient has outside of their current illness. Use that as the anchor for building your relationship with the person and gaining their trust.
- Encouraging Questions: Invite the person to share their concerns and ask questions, even if they seem basic or challenging.
- Explaining Discrepancies: Be open to discussing information the person has found online and explain why your recommendations may differ.
- Involving Family: Recognize that the person may have family members with concerns. Offer to speak with them, either in person or by phone, to provide reassurance and clarity.
- Respecting the Hierarchy—But Not Hiding Behind It: While the patient-physician relationship has its structure, it should not prevent open communication or compassionate care.
Take away: Every patient is a person first. By seeing beyond the bed number and diagnosis, and by treating the individual with empathy and respect, healthcare providers can ease fears, answer questions, and build trust. In doing so, they honor both science and the art of medicine.
Gavin Warner, M.D. is the Vice President for Medical Affairs for IN Compass Health and a practicing hospitalist.