Question

Discuss common issues on perceptions in medical and health care settings. Give examples.

Answer 1

Perceptions in Medical and Health care Settings

• Evidence from qualitative researches found that, patient’s perception in medical and healthcare settings included the need of getting individualized care, behavior of doctors and nurses, who care for patient, build rapport with them, make them comfortable, posess efficient knowledge and skills with respect to their field, involve them in decision making regarding their healthcare decisions, etc (Sofaer S, & Firminger K, 2005).

• Patient’s also perceive the need for good communication environment in healthcare settings. This involves, engagement of healthy interpersonal communication like being listened by doctors, nurses and staff, getting encouragement from them, and showing interest in patient's lifestyle and habits. It also includes explaining patient's condition to them in simple language, guiding them towards self care, providing explanation and information in each step of hospital routine, like checkups, diagnoses, giving test results, providing prescriptions, and explaining technical terms, etc (Sofaer S, & Firminger K, 2005).

• Patients also perceived emotional and psychological support from medical settings, such as sensitivity, caring, sympathy and friendly environment, which decreases anxiousness and negative feelings within patients (Sofaer S, & Firminger K, 2005).

Common issues

According to Chicago based career builder, they found some common issues experienced in healthcare and medical settings.

• Lack of advancement opportunities such as efficient training, enhancement of skills, updating oneself in technology arena, acquiring new and updated knowledge, and various other programs to develop oneself, was a significant issue among healthcare professionals.

• Most of the healthcare workers experienced heavy workload, specially nurses, which results in poor job satisfaction, tiredness, less interest towards one's job role and fatigue. Thus it also negatively affect provider-patient healthy relationship.

• CareerBuilder researchers also found the issue of poor salary in medical settings, which can affect the interest towards pursuing one’s goals.

• According to career builder report, 20% of healthcare professionals, reported less time being spent with patients, engaging in interpersonal communication with them or providing them emotional support. Reason behind this poor healthcare professional-patient relationship were, increased workload like assignments and administrative works.