5 KEYS TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE WITH PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION

As healthcare professionals, our medical training is to diagnose and treat (and “fix”) the medical symptoms and problems we encounter in our patients. This deeply ingrained and even knee-jerk response can sometimes work against us, despite the best intentions. For example, research has shown that physicians interrupt patients just 18 seconds after the patient has started to talk.

We need a different approach when communicating with patients about their depression.

 Try this on instead.

1. Listen. Park the impulse to fix. Slow down, and sit down if possible. Be aware of your body language. If you are hard-pressed for time (which many medical professionals are), try scheduling it into a couple of sessions. For example, schedule two 15-minute talks. Every bit can help your patient feel heard and seen. The first key to improving communication is to listen.

2. Respect. Do not judge. Remember, their problem is not due to weakness or laziness. Most of us can pick up if someone is being critical or judgmental (even if we are silent). A patient is not any different – and will most likely shut down if they pick up the vibe of disrespect. This person is unwell and needs help to cope to get better.
 

 

 

3. Plain language. Don’t use medical jargon. Instead, use plain language. When opening the conversation, try open-ended questions and statements. Here are some examples to begin the conversation. You look like you’re having a tough day…do you want to talk about it? How’s your day going? Tell me more about that. How are you coping with that? That sounds tough. You get the idea. Once the flow starts, let them talk, and again, put on your listening ears. Relate to them as a fellow human, as if you are talking to a family member or a good friend. Don’t worry; you will automatically be doing your assessment. Just do it in your head.
 

 

 

4. Reassure and inform. Now you have the talking stick. Use it well. Hopefully, enough trust and rapport have been built for the patient to see you as someone who cares.
 

 

 

Reassure this person that their problem is real and that many people struggle with mental illness. This can go a long way in helping by knowing that it is not all in their head. Emphasize that you care and want to see them get better. Encourage them to seek medical help from their physician. Reassure them that their doctor is definitely on their side and could even rule out any physical contributors to feeling like they do (such as medication). Setting this tone helps to keep the channels open.

 

Inform. This would be a great time to give them information about what depression is, the symptoms, how many people it affects, and most importantly, how to get help.  Knowing what is available could help them (such as medication, therapy, support groups, etc.) can be encouraging. If their eyes start to glaze over, take the hint to reign it in.

 

 

5. Follow up. Doing so emphasizes to your patient that you are on their side. Make the time, even if the conversation is brief. Again, human-to-human, no medical jargon (please). If they have not followed up with their family doctor yet, offer to help them, as often depression makes doing simple tasks overwhelming.

 

Encourage their questions. Be patient (even if you are not feeling particularly virtuous at the time). If you run out of time and they still have questions or need to talk, respectfully let them know and schedule another follow-up talk if possible. Give essential contact numbers if they need either information or support beforehand. Because you care.

 

Note: Suicide. If you do suspect there is a risk of suicide, gently convey that if they voice the intention to kill themselves or harm others, you must let your team know. Emphasize this is not because they are a bad or dysfunctional person, but because you genuinely want to keep them and others safe.