Over 75% of patients want to shake their doctor's hand upon meeting them for the first time and about half would like to be called by name, according to a report in the June 11 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, head authored by Gregory Makoul, Ph.D., at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago. Unfortunately, in this study, in over 50% of encounters, doctors did not mention patient's name at all upon meeting.
On the flip side, over half of patients would like doctors to introduce themselves using their first and last names, followed by about 30% who would like doctors to use only their last name.
When I meet a new doctor, I do like to be greeted by name, but just my first name is fine. As far as shaking hands, for me, that isn't necessary.
1. What I would want pior to meeting a new doctor
For the doctor to be on time for the meeting.
If medical records were requested prior to meeting, look at them before appointment.
Know how to use your place of employments computer system, don't rely on the nurses to do it for you.
If your not the right doctor for the job, admit it right away and refer me to the proper doctor.
Follow through on what was said during the meeting.
As for introductions, a hand shake and at least a first name seem like common sense.
Posted at 5:45PM on Jun 28th 2007 by Jim