JAMA Clinical Reviews
Discussing Surgery With Patients
Apr 16, 2025
Lauren J. Taylor, a surgeon at the Central Virginia VA Healthcare System and author of JAMA's Communicating Medicine series, joins JAMA Senior Editor Anne Cappola for a revealing conversation. They explore three essential communication skills for surgeons, emphasizing trust-building beyond mere informed consent. The discussion addresses how to handle emotions during tough news, the value of scenario planning for informed patient decisions, and the necessity of transparent discourse regarding surgical risks. It's all about empowering patients!
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Quick takeaways
- Effective communication in surgery requires building trust quickly, especially in high-stress environments to enhance patient understanding.
- Scenario planning helps patients anticipate various surgical outcomes, fostering informed decision-making aligned with their personal health goals.
Deep dives
The Unique Challenges of Surgeon-Patient Communication
Surgeons encounter distinct challenges when communicating with patients regarding surgery, often due to the high-stakes nature of surgical interventions. These conversations frequently take place in urgent or stressful environments, such as emergency rooms or intensive care units, where building rapport is difficult. Surgeons may lack a pre-existing relationship with patients, requiring them to quickly establish trust while also conveying complex medical information. Additionally, the emotional intensity of these discussions can complicate the communication process, especially when discussing high-risk procedures or unexpected complications.
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