By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Should you bring a family member or friend with you when a patient has a doctor’s appointment? That is a question explored on a recent post on KevinMD by guest blogger, Diana E. Lee, a chronic migraine patient who blogs at Somebody Heal Me. “Most of the resources I’ve read about how to prepare for a doctor’s appointment recommend bringing a loved one with you so that person can…
Read More...Doctor-Nurse Relationship: How to Energize and Engage the Doctor and Nurse Team
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA Some patients struggle to communicate effectively with their doctors and some doctors and nurses find it difficult to communicate and collaborate with each other. Historically, the dynamic symbiotic relationship between doctors and nurses has been a little shaky, evidenced by the lack of engagement and respect for one another. Hospitals are chaotic and stressful. Working in such an environment can lead to frustration and it can take a toll…
Read More...Doctor-Patient Relationship: How Patients Can Help Enhance Communication
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA From Kevin Pho’s medical blog, KevinMD, a post archived from 2004, Pho talks about the struggles of communication between doctor and patient during the 15 minute office visit. Pho sites a NY Times article that explains that more than two decades ago, research shows that patients were interrupted 18 seconds into explaining their problem (on average) and less than 2 percent got to finish their explanations. Pho sites that…
Read More...AHCJ Invites Qualified Health Journalists and Broadcasters to Possibly Connect
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA In a recent post I wrote about the unfortunate disbandment of NAMC and provided information about the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) as a possible alternative for former members to continue in health journalism. “NAMC folds, qualified members invited to AHCJ” by Pia Christensen, AHCJ member writes about the disbandment and the new membership guidelines that could offer former members the possibility for professional or associate membership. Additionally,…
Read More...Legacy of NAMC Comes to a Halt, Founding Member Bill Crounse, MD Bids Farewell and AHCJ Open its Doors
By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA First, I’d like to say with a very heavy heart how saddened I am by the news of the disbandment of NAMC… The National Association of Medical Communicators (NAMC) closes its doors after more than two decades of inspiring health professionals to accurately communicate health and medical information to the public. NAMC has been spearheading its members in broadcast journalism, but succumbs to the pressures to stay vibrant and…
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