It’s so easy to get caught up in test results, that we sometimes forget to ask questions about patient comfort when we follow-up with our patients. Here are a few tips to get your patients to open up and share more about their physical and emotional well-being during patient follow-ups:
Ask open-ended questions: When asking questions about well-being, focus on asking open-ended questions to encourage them to open up. For example:
- “Are you less stressed now?” vs “Tell me how your stress levels have changed.”
- “Did you sleep 6-8 hours last night,” vs “Tell me how you feel when you wake up in the morning.”
Validate their concerns: When your patient expresses any kind of concern or fears about their recovery, they may not openly share them with you right away. When they do, be sure to acknowledge their concerns and ask for more information to better understand their feelings before suggesting a way to alleviate them.
Ask about sleeping habits: As sleep and comfort experts at Essential Medical Products, we know that being treated for a medical condition is an emotional experience for many people. When our emotions are running high, it can be hard to get a good night’s sleep.
As a healthcare professional, you know that a good sleep is essential for physical and mental recovery. Two of the best ways to help encourage a better night sleep is to make sure the patient feels safe in their bed and that their mattress is rated for their injury.
Essential Medical Products carries medical mattresses for long-term care facilities, acute care (hospital), and home-care environments. Find the right mattress for your patients today.
