Anxious patients are unavoidable in any healthcare profession. Whether you’re a dentist or a nurse, you’re likely aware of how difficult it can be to provide anxious patients with the necessary care. In some cases, their nerves may prevent them from even showing up for appointments. Fortunately, there are several effective methods that those in the healthcare field can use to help ease their patients’ nerves so that they can treat them properly. To learn how to help calm nervous patients, continue reading.
Improve their waiting room experience
Waiting rooms give your patients time to dwell on their anxieties and become increasingly nervous before their appointment even begins. To ensure that you start your appointment with them on the best note possible and minimize their nerves, it is important to improve their waiting room experience. Ways to improve your patient’s waiting room experience include investing in more comfortable seating, providing entertainment in the form of TVs or magazines, and keeping patients informed on wait times.
Stay calm, cool, and collected
If you appear nervous or unconfident in any way, your patient’s nerves are sure to skyrocket. Even if the patient becomes rude or is acting in a difficult manner, it is important to remain calm and patient. Doing so will help control the situation rather than causing their—and your—anxiety to escalate.
Be empathetic
While it is important to stay calm and collected, you should avoid being robotic in your responses. Doing so may make your patient feel like you don’t care about them and won’t provide them with the care that they need. As such, try to respond in a way that is understanding and supportive.
Communication is key
Even if you’ll be performing a simple routine procedure, your patient doesn’t have the knowledge that you do and may feel overwhelmed with uncertainty. As such, it is beneficial to provide them with ample information regarding the treatment they will be receiving and taking the time to answer all their questions. In doing so, you can help quell their anxiety, increase their trust in you, and make them feel more comfortable.