What do you do if physicians are hesitant to trust and connect with you emotionally?

If physicians are hesitant to trust and connect emotionally, it's essential to approach it with empathy. Acknowledge their concerns, emphasizing that trust takes time. Strive to demonstrate reliability by providing accurate information and actively listen to their perspectives. Building rapport through open communication and mutual respect takes time but can foster trust. Offer support, highlighting the benefits of collaboration. By showing empathy and reliability, aim to earn their trust and foster a connected relationship.

I agree with these posts. Trust is earned and not awarded. I am a strong believer in the emotional bank account. I have a bank account emotionally with everyone professionally and personally in my life. If I make more deposits in that person’s emotional bank account, minimize withdrawals, then a positive balance occurs in the account. Positive balances support and nurture trusting behaviors. How does one make deposits in an emotional bank account? By actively listening, being thoughtful and truthful, and following through on your promises. Additionally, through genuine caring and empathetic dialogue, both professional and personal. Have each person with whom you interact feel they have your undivided attention and priority.

Be reliable. So many see “doctor “ and think ‘“wealthy”. Not always. Many are out to exploit them. They are human, fragile, and selfless. They may know medicine, but not the business of healthcare. Be someone they can count on.

Healing begins with "Hello", before any medical treatment. Look for personal chemistry and open discussion of your medical (physical), emotional, and mental healing. Shared decision making where you (the patient) are central to what is best for your needs. Be engaged in your own health, rather than delegating all choices (responsibility) to a stranger. Research your health, prepare your questions for your 5 to 10 minute appointment (if chronic disease) or share what concern or needs you have. Be open to information you don't want to hear. Be willing to make life changes to accommodate health choices and burdens of illness expectation compared to previous perfect health.Be your own best advocate.

Being a physician it’s a call to an enormous stake. Reflecting on human limits and extreme demands and continuously improving one’s technical and relational skill sets, with passion, dedication and commitment to stay open minded seems to me the only way through. Reason and common sense should rule over fear.

When physicians are hesitant to trust and connect emotionally, demonstrating empathy is key. Take the time to understand their perspective and acknowledge their feelings. Show genuine concern for their challenges and validate their experiences. Let them know that you empathize with the pressures they face and that you're committed to supporting them. Use phrases like "I understand how you feel" or "It sounds like you're going through a tough time." By showing empathy, you can create a safe and supportive space for physicians to express their concerns and build trust in your relationship.

By demonstrating empathy for physicians, we not only create a more supportive work environment but also contribute to better patient care. So, let's lead with compassion and support our healthcare heroes every step of the way! 🙌 #HealthcareLeadership #EmpathyInMedicine

Empathy always wins. Just imagine the pressure one bears while handling a precious life who in their most vulnerable moments trusts the physician to take care of it. Just having that empathy will help you cross any barriers in communication.

I agree with this. Working in surgery for 12 years you develop a different relationship with surgeons because you work with them on a regular basis and develop a level of trust with each other . When a new surgeon is introduced into the team you have to learn their boundaries because they may feel they have to establish themselves. Being mindful of that helps to build that trust.

We respect or are expected to respect the social norms of our society. Physicians may feel a burden of responsibility that may make them somewhat reserved at times. Respecting their privacy can help build trust in the long run and will result in better communication and rapport.

Trust is mutual, if you keep your trust door open, people will let you in, the same way you let them in. I believe that a high percentage of problems, misunderstanding, mistrust and long list of unwanted attitude or concerns are due to miscommunication or lack of proper one. hence to gain trust you have to clearly and transparently communicate with people, colleagues and coworkers. Share your thoughts not only to correct or prevent misinterpretation but to engage your team as well.

One thing I find helpful is being respectful and being transparent. If you need to relay a negative topic or have a hard ask, the fact you were truthful will earn their respect for you. I never go in with any promises I can’t deliver on. It has worked for me over many years with my provider relationships.

Physicians aren't just skilled practitioners; they're also trained to be data-driven decision-makers. In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the ability to gather, interpret, and apply data effectively is more critical than ever. Physicians undergo rigorous training to understand how to leverage data to diagnose illnesses, tailor treatment plans, and monitor patient progress. By relying on data, physicians can make more informed, evidence-based decisions that ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients. It's not just about intuition or gut feeling—it's about harnessing the power of data to deliver precision medicine and personalized care.

Communicating clearly is something that’s not taught to us unfortunately. So many confusing encounters can be avoided if only both parties communicated clearly. This is where a good physician can help draw the required information out by being empathic themselves.

I believe clear communication is key to building a strong physician-patient relationship. It's crucial to be concise, avoid jargon, and promptly clarify any misunderstandings to ensure mutual understanding and foster trust

My ophthamologist is an introvert...ironically, when I first met him, he did not make EYE contact. He did my cataract surgery and when I went back to get checked I asked him how different is surgery now for him than when he first started? I also thanked him for how great my vision is now after the surgery. He looked right at me and said, "No one has ever asked me that question and it is rare that patients thank me." It changed our relationship. He asked me about what I do and actually asked for advice on how to deal with nonadherent patients. Simple principle here: we are all humans and want to feel noticed and valued.

Physicians have been trained to be independent, control their emotions, and ignore their needs for the good of others. Sharing their emotions and expressing vulnerability can feel foreign and interpreted as weakness. Trust and rapport with someone who is guarded is earned through providing support, empathy, and emotional safety.

Physicians experience the same emotional highs and lows as everyone else in society. They need support especially at times of difficulty like the pandemic where they battled fear, anxiety, trauma and vulnerability with little help from the outside. They need support at those and other times so that everyone benefits from their expertise.

Offer your assistance and expertise in a non-intrusive manner, making it clear that you're there to help them succeed. Be proactive in addressing their needs and concerns, whether it's providing resources, offering guidance, or simply lending a listening ear. Demonstrate your commitment to their well-being and professional development, showing genuine care and concern for their success. By being supportive, you create a positive and collaborative atmosphere that encourages trust and fosters stronger relationships with physicians over time.

Be the solution. Be “The Guy” they call when they need anything, even if it’s not what you sell. The more value you give, the more they rely on your help and support.

What’s the perspective here Administrator vs physician Physician vs physician Physician vs patients The third is mandatory without which the profession is meaningless Second is optional one can do without Third is meaningless because administrator become meaningless if they can’t win over the physician trust which is so basic and easy

Establishing trust is key to building emotional connections. Show them that you are reliable, trustworthy, and genuinely interested in their well-being. Also be patient and continue to show your support.

One thing I've found helpful is to remember that we are all on the same side - we went into healthcare wanting what is best for the patient. Sometimes we may disagree, but we are all trying to do the right thing.

Emotional support from physician is not important for me at all. More important is to lead me to healthy condition as soon as possible.

It's important to reflect on your approach and adapt as needed. Take time to assess the situation and consider whether your communication style or actions may be contributing to their hesitancy. Reflect on past interactions and feedback received to identify areas for improvement. Be open to feedback from physicians and adjust your approach accordingly. Demonstrating flexibility and willingness to adapt shows your commitment to building a positive and productive relationship. By continuously reflecting on your interactions and making necessary adjustments, you can foster a stronger connection and build trust with physicians over time.

You've said and done all the right things and none of it has worked so far. Sometimes we have to face the facts and adapt our strategy. 1. YOU ARE NOT THE KEY TO EVERY DOOR. Get a new messenger! It might be another physician champion, their office manager, or a chief-whatever officer that can bend their ear. 2. WORD OF MOUTH supporting you and/or your cause can influence decisions. Sometimes this looks like research papers, other times it's people physicians look up to, or even using social media. Share supporting evidence in your proposals to boost your credibility and improve trust. If all else fails, it's possible this physician is not your champion for now. Try again later and/or move onto the next.

You can engage around mission (e.g., providing excellent patient care) as a way to enhance trust and connection. What is the mission of the practice? Your mission? The physician’s mission?

Every collaboration whether at work or at home begins with relationship and that takes authenticity, time, commitment and skills, ( that can be taught and practiced). Many find these skills challenging especially if they contradict cultural overlays. For example eye contact can be considered disrespectful in some cultures.

One thing I've found helpful is reflecting on my own personal feelings and emotions around working with physicians, my concerns, challenges as well as my successes. This helps me empathise and respect idenfiable boundaries where applicable. It has also enhanced my collaboration with colleagues as my career has progressed.