4 minute read
Five questions for five experts
Irena Sailer | Switzerland
University of Geneva
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.
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.
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. Nigam Buch | India
Sanjivani Dental Treatment Centre
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.
That depends on the patient’s age, medical condition, willingness to undergo complex treatment and finances, which are becoming important post-pandemic.
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.
Man Yi | China
Sichuan University Wendy Gill | Australia
Alliance Periodontics and Implant Dentistry Robert Carvalho da Silva | Brazil
Instituto Implanteperio, Consolação
Most of the time. And I prefer to explain the pros and cons of possible treatment options thoroughly on the first visit.
Has patient behavior changed recently?
More patients search the Internet for medical information and may consult several specialists before making a decision. They might be aware of various options but not the details or differences.
Every patient should be informed of all possibilities. Especially for patients with higher expectations or risks, it’s necessary to spend more time to build trust and prepare them for possible outcomes.
Visual information, e.g., videos or clinical cases help the patients understand the protocols. Also, digital esthetic mockups are valuable aids.
Will PRO become more important in the future?
Yes. Different treatment protocols may lead to similar clinical results, but there could be a big difference in patient experience. PROs help us better understand patient perspectives. On their first visit, how often are patients eager to learn about treatment details?
Patients are usually interested in outcomes and not clinical details. Once they are satisfied about treatment, the main concerns are pain and cost.
Has patient behavior changed recently?
The number of patients who are anxious seems to have decreased mainly because they have been able to establish what is reliable information on the internet.
I always explain my reasonings for planned treatment, outline the individual patient’s risk factors and discuss where patients’ anxieties lie.
Predictability, longevity of results and clinical experience are probably the top of the list. Additionally, having multiple healthcare providers (e.g., hygienist) involved in discussions is also helpful.
Will PRO become more important in the future?
It is an important topic in Australia at the research level. We need to be aware of the data available for PROs and be able to explain to patients what this means in real, clinical terms. On their first visit, how often are patients eager to learn about treatment details?
In Brazil, patients want to know all possible treatment options, considering the cost, time, morbidity and effectiveness.
Has patient behavior changed recently?
The “aware” kind of patients are much more common nowadays. People rely more on science and know the treatment options have increased over time, as information is more accessible (e.g., Google and dentists’ social media).
I always explain everything to my patients regarding cost, morbidity, time…, it’s very important. Here in Brazil we say that “if you talk first, it’s explanation; if you talk later, it’s an excuse.”
In direct patient conversation for sure the best way to demonstrate that a given treatment is valid is case presentation with pre- and post-treatment images.
Will PRO become more important in the future?
For sure. It may encourage other patients to accept treatment. Comfort immediately post-surgery and in the long run are key to patient treatment acceptance.
