Offer support to your patient, trying to convey the following:

• Concern
• ‘I’m concerned that you’ll be going home tonight and won’t have anyone to watch how your illness is progressing’

• Understanding
• ‘I can understand how you might feel angry that your operation was cancelled’

• Willingness to help
• ‘If there’s anything else I can do for you, please let me know’

• Partnership
• ‘We’ll have to work together to help you get through this, so let’s talk about the options we can choose from’

• Acknowledging coping efforts and appropriate self-care
• ‘You’ve done exactly the right things so far to get his temperature down’

• Sensitivity
  • Deal sensitivity with embarrassing/disturbing topics and physical pain
  • Be especially mindful of the physical exam

   

• ‘I’m sorry if this examination is a bit embarrassing for you. I’ll try to make it as quick and easy as possible’

Exercise: Conduct a physical exam of your choosing, being sure to ask your patient for permission and explain your steps/rationale to the patient as you complete the exam