Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Editorials

Reassuring patients about normal test results

BMJ 2007; 334 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39121.361910.80 (Published 15 February 2007) Cite this as: BMJ 2007;334:325

Rapid Response:

Communication with patients and Good Medical Practise

Reassuring patients of a normal results forms a part of good doctor-
patient communication and partnership as described in GOOD MEDICAL
PRACTISE(2006) quote-
"share with patients, in a way they can understand, the information they
want or need to know about their condition, its likely progression, and
the treatment options available to them, including associated risks and
uncertainties
respond to patients’ questions and keep them informed about the progress
of their care" and doctor-patient
partership quote-
"To fulfil your role in the doctor-patient partnership you must:
be polite, considerate and honest
treat patients with dignity
treat each patient as an individual
respect patients’ privacy and right to confidentiality
support patients in caring for themselves to improve and maintain their
health
encourage patients who have knowledge about their condition to use this
when they are making decisions about their care"
Strict adherence to good medical practise will guide doctors to build a
good relationship with patient and the best outcome in patient's interest
can be acheived effectively.

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

07 March 2007
Rohit Sinha
F2 Respiratory Medicine
North Tees University Hospital, TS19 8PE