Communication Errors in Health Care - What Doctors Say, What Patients Hear with Dr. Danielle Ofri MD PHD

Inside Medical Malpractice

This month, Inside Medical Malpractice returns focus to one of the 5 top issues in malpractice litigation: communication. Listen as repeat guest Dr. Danielle Ofri MD, PhD ,one of the most thought provoking and influential voices in healthcare today, discusses her book ‘What Patients Say, What Doctors Hear’. Dr. Ofri says that the doctor patient interview remains the single most powerful diagnostic tool in medicine. But what patients say and what doctors hear are often two very different things. Listen as Dr. Ofri highlights just how powerful the doctor patient relationship is and talks honestly about the disclosure of medical error. There’s a great conversation about the power imbalance that exists between doctors and patients and suggestions to avoid the underlying commonality in almost all lawsuits; a breakdown in doctor-patient communication. Listening and communicating not only makes patients feel cared for, it can improve the accuracy of the information offered, reduce the risk of medical error and result in few lawsuits. There’s something valuable in this episode for everyone!