Real-Life Communication
"Communication is paramount to my clinical practice," says Dr. Vail
Reese, a dermatologist. "Patients must be informed of their conditions at
a level that they can understand. Before procedures can be performed, patients
must be aware of a list of pros and cons, and yet also feel reassured that
a good outcome is most likely."
After three months, Alan Shopsy, a
61-year-old hot dog vendor, is still suffering from boils on his lower back,
thighs and bottom. You are worried his condition might be something more serious,
even skin cancer. In this case, things would definitely be out of your hands
as a dermatologist.
After much deliberation, you decide you're going
to refer Mr. Shopsy to a skin cancer specialist. Perhaps this will be the
answer.
What you must do now is prepare a recent medical history, including
all drugs you have given Mr. Shopsy during the past few months. "Another use
of communications [in the field] is to share information with patients and
colleagues," says Dr. Art Huntley, a dermatologist.
Use the following
facts in writing a short letter to the specialist, Dr. Choy: