If you detected retinal changes suggesting undiagnosed diabetes, how would you approach discussing this finding with the patient and coordinating their care?
Specialty-Specific
Purpose
This question checks how well you can communicate serious health news and coordinate care with other healthcare providers. It’s about showing empathy and understanding the bigger picture of patient health.
Tips
- Start with a private setting and use empathetic language to ease into the conversation.
- Explain the findings in simple terms, avoiding medical jargon, and check if the patient understands.
- Outline clear next steps, like referring them to their primary care doctor for further testing.
Common mistakes
- Don't just throw out the diagnosis without considering how the patient might feel about it.
- Avoid using complex medical terms that might confuse the patient.
- Don't leave the patient hanging; make sure to actively coordinate their follow-up care instead of just writing a referral.