Points of view
Five questions for five experts
Irena Sailer | Switzerland University of Geneva
Nigam Buch | India Sanjivani Dental Treatment Centre
We asked five clinicians from five countries about patient information , Patient Report Outcome ( PRO ) and impacts on good long-term prognosis .
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Patient Information . Share how you do it !
On their first visit , how often are patients eager to learn about treatment details ?
Patients are very eager to know about all benefits and risks as well as the long-term outcomes of the treatments , and potential treatment alternatives are always part of the information .
Has patient behavior changed recently ?
The amount of information the patients arrive with for the first consultation has changed . Information is very often found on the internet , and patients can be significantly influenced before learning real details from healthcare providers .
Should every patient hear everything about therapies ?
I always explain all possibilities and document in the patient records that I have done so . This is a very important part of treatment documentation .
What are the most convincing patient information tools ?
Case examples are always great to have . They are very illustrative . We have developed a set of overview tables with data and indications , published in our recent book ( Quintessence Publishing 2021 )
Will PRO become more important in the future ?
Absolutely . Documentation is also important for legal and other reasons .
On their first visit , how often are patients eager to learn about treatment details ?
Patients tend to come to us with expectations that treatments can be accomplished without much pain or time . But once we explain their radiographs and clinical options , they want to know more .
Has patient behavior changed recently ?
The pandemic has impacted patients opting for more economic solutions . But more and more patients are asking for more predictable solutions with less time spent in the dental office .
Should every patient hear everything about therapies ?
That depends on the patient ’ s age , medical condition , willingness to undergo complex treatment and finances , which are becoming important post-pandemic .
What are the most convincing patient information tools ?
Patients are more convinced after hearing success stories from their neighbors , family , friends or relatives and put complete faith in their doctors .
Will PRO become more important in the future ?
It is the most important feedback . It boosts moral , provides satisfaction for the hard work of the entire team and improves practice reputation .