Do you find reducing patient anxiety to be your biggest challenge some days? According to Optometry Today, a study of 366 patients once revealed that practitioners “cannot assume that anxiety is reserved for one ‘type’ of patient,” but rather those patients that fall into a certain classification, such as high anxiety personality types, patients expecting to receive some bad news, and those who currently don’t wear glasses or contact lenses.
Anxiety can make an eye exam uncomfortable and very stressful for your patients. Optometry Today further notes that there is a distinct tie between patient anxiety and lower levels of satisfaction after their exam, which is why you should not only take the time to learn what makes patients feel anxious, but also learn how you can effectively use strategies to decrease anxiety. Below are a few suggestions outlined by Optometry Today:
Identify the Source of Anxiety – Talk with patients before the exam to see if they feel nervous about any aspect of it and then modify routines as needed to help reduce anxiety.
Be a Good Communicator – Practitioners should communicate in a way that’s easy for the patients to understand, such as putting their condition into laymen’s terms or explaining the exam process and any information the patient needs to know “in a clear and realistic way.” Patients should be involved in discussions and in all decision-making processes.
Offer Written Information – Providing patients with written information helps clarify misconceptions, establish accurate expectancies, and the understanding of pathology following an exam. It also helps patients recall and understand what’s been discussed.
It is important to note that children may naturally be anxious upon their first eye exam as it is a new experience for them. Practitioners who treat children can recommend that parents or guardians prepare children for the exam by explaining what to expect and encouraging them to ask questions. Optometry Today also suggests the following when preparing for children’s exams:
- Asking parents if the child shows any signs of covering or closing an eye; eye turning; complaints of headaches; or rubbing of the eyes.
- Talking with kids to help ease their nerves. For example, ask them about their favorite subjects in school, what TV shows they like to watch, or what books they enjoy reading.
- Make the exam fun by explaining the device you’re using and what it does and keeping toys around.
In addition to taking the time to learn what makes your patients anxious about eye exams and developing strategies to help ease anxiety, it also helps to use patient-friendly technology. Optos’ ultra-widefield imaging technology and devices are extremely patient-friendly, providing a quick and painless exam that is appropriate for patients of all ages. Visit our website to learn more about how our technology can benefit your practice.
What strategies do you incorporate to your practice? Leave a comment below to share with us.
Je, unapata kupunguza wasiwasi wa mgonjwa kuwa changamoto yako kubwa siku fulani? Kulingana na OptometryToday, utafiti wa wagonjwa 366 ulifunua kwamba wataalamu hawawezi kudhani kuwa wasiwasi ni wa aina moja ya mgonjwa, lakini badala yake wagonjwa ambao huanguka katika uainishaji fulani, kama vile aina ya utu wa wasiwasi, wagonjwa wanaotarajia kupokea habari mbaya, na wale ambao kwa sasa hawavaa miwani au lensi za mawasiliano. Wasiwasi waweza kufanya uchunguzi wa macho uwe usiofaa na wenye mkazo sana kwa wagonjwa wako. "Optometry leo pia inaonyesha kwamba kuna uhusiano wa wazi kati ya wasiwasi wa mgonjwa na viwango vya chini vya kuridhika baada ya uchunguzi wao, na kwa hivyo unapaswa kuchukua wakati wa kujifunza tu kile kinachofanya wagonjwa kuhisi wasiwasi, lakini pia kujifunza jinsi unaweza kutumia mbinu za kupunguza wasiwasi. """ "Kama ilivyoelezwa katika makala ya ""Optometry Today,"" ""Uchunguze chanzo cha wasiwasi"" ni muhimu kuwa na wasiwasi kabla ya mtihani na kisha kurekebisha utaratibu kama inahitajika ili kusaidia kupunguza wasiwasi." Kuwa Mtangazaji Mzuri: Wataalamu wanapaswa kuwasiliana kwa njia ambayo ni rahisi kwa wagonjwa kuelewa, kama vile kuweka hali yao katika maneno ya laymen au kuelezea mchakato wa uchunguzi na habari yoyote ambayo mgonjwa anahitaji kujua kwa njia ya wazi na ya kweli. Habari za Kiripo <unk> Kutoa habari za kiripo kwa wagonjwa husaidia kufafanua dhana zisizo za kweli, kuanzisha matarajio sahihi, na kuelewa ugonjwa baada ya mtihani. Pia husaidia wagonjwa kukumbuka na kuelewa yale yaliyozungumziwa. Ni muhimu kutambua kwamba watoto wanaweza kuwa na wasiwasi juu ya uchunguzi wao wa kwanza wa jicho kwa kuwa ni uzoefu mpya kwao. Wataalamu wanaotunza watoto wanaweza kupendekeza kwamba wazazi au walezi wawaandalie watoto kwa ajili ya mtihani kwa kueleza nini kutarajia na kuwatia moyo kuuliza maswali. Optometry leo pia inapendekeza yafuatayo wakati wa kuandaa kwa ajili ya mitihani ya watoto: - Kuuliza wazazi kama mtoto inaonyesha ishara yoyote ya kufunika au kufunga jicho; jicho kugeuka; malalamiko ya maumivu ya kichwa; au rubbing ya macho. - Kuzungumza na watoto ili kuwasaidia kupunguza wasiwasi wao. Kwa mfano, waulize kuhusu masomo wanayopenda shuleni, vipindi vya televisheni wanavyopenda kutazama, au vitabu wanavyopenda kusoma. - Fanya mtihani kuwa wa kufurahisha kwa kuelezea kifaa unachotumia na kinachofanya na kuweka vitu vya kuchezea karibu. Kwa kuongezea kuchukua muda wa kujifunza nini hufanya wagonjwa wako kuwa na wasiwasi juu ya uchunguzi wa macho na kuendeleza mikakati ya kusaidia kupunguza wasiwasi, pia husaidia kutumia teknolojia ya rafiki ya mgonjwa. Optos ultra-widefield imaging teknolojia na vifaa ni sana mgonjwa- kirafiki, kutoa haraka na maumivu ya mtihani kwamba ni sahihi kwa wagonjwa wa umri wote. Tembelea tovuti yetu ili kujifunza zaidi kuhusu jinsi teknolojia yetu inaweza kufaidika mazoezi yako. Ni mikakati gani unayoingiza katika mazoezi yako? Acha maoni hapa chini ili kushiriki nasi.