Principle 2 - Communicate effectively with patients

Question 0

Summarise Principle Two in four points

Answer 0

• Communicate effectively with patients - listen, consideration time, individual views and communication needs into account
• Recognise and promote patients’ decision making for their health priorities and care
• Give patients all information they need so that they can make informed decisions
• Give patients clear information about costs

Question 1

What is the GDC Standards Principle Two?

Answer 1

• Communicate effectively with patients

Question 2

What can patients expect with regards to communication within the dental profession? (4)

Answer 2

• To receive full, clear and accurate info that they can understand before, during and after treatment to allow informed decisions
• A clear explanation of the treatment, possible outcomes and what they can expect
• To know how much treatment will cost before it starts, told any changes
• To know the names of those providing their care

Question 3

How must you demonstrate and carry out communicating effectively with patients? (2.1)

Answer 3

• You must treat patients as individuals. Take specific communication needs and preferences into account, respect cultural values and differences (2.1.1)
• You must be sufficiently fluent in written and spoken English (2.1.2)

Question 4

How must you promote patients’ rights to and responsibilities for making decisions about their health priorities and care? (2.2)

Answer 4

• Before treatment starts you must: (2.2.1)
• —- Explain the options (including those of delaying treatment or doing nothing) with the risks and benefits of each; and
• —- Give full information on the treatment you propose and the possible costs
• Encourage patients to ask questions about their options or any aspect of treatment (2.2.2)
• Give full honest answers to any questions patients have about their options or treatment (2.2.3)

Question 5

How must you give patients the information they need so they can make informed decisions? (2.3)

Answer 5

• Introduce yourself and explain your role (2.3.1)
• Include other members of the team who may have valuable knowledge about the patients’ backgrounds or concerns (2.3.2)
• Recognise patients’ communication difficulties and meet their needs: (2.3.3)
• • Do not use professional jargon and acronyms
• • Using an interpreter for patients whose first language is not english
• • Suggest pt bring someone with them who can use sign language
• • Providing an induction loop to help pts who wear hearing aids

Question 6

What should you ensure once you’ve given patients all the information? (2.3)

Answer 6

• You should satisfy yourself that patients have understood the information given to them (2.3.4)
• Make sure patients have enough information and enough time to ask questions and make a decision (2.3.5)

Question 7

What physical information should you provide for patients? (2.3.6)

Answer 7

• You must give patients a written treatment plan, or plans, before their treatment starts and you should retain a copy in their notes.
• You should ask pt to sign the treatment

Question 8

What must you include whenever you provide a treatment plan? How should the treatment plan be kept during treatment, what should be done if the treatment plan changes?(2.3.7)

Answer 8

• The proposed treatment
• A realistic indication of the cost
• Whether treatment is under NHS or privately (if mixed this should be clear indicated which treatments are which)
• During treatment, the treatment plan should be kept under review
• Inform patients immediately if the treatment plan changes and provide them with an updated version in writing

Question 9

What contact information needs to be available for patients to get in touch with the practice? (2.3.9, 2.3.10)

Answer 9

• Provide pts with clear information about emergency care including out of hours arrangements
• Make sure pts have the details the need to allow them to contact you by preferred method

Question 10

What should be given to the pt in terms of referral arrangements? (2.3.11)

Answer 10

• You should provide patients with clear information about any referral arrangements related to their treatment

Question 11

How should information about costs of treatments for patients be available? (2.4)

Answer 11

• Make sure a simple price list is clearly displayed in your reception or waiting area (2.4.1)
• Give clear information on prices in your practice literature and on your website - patients should not have to ask for this information (2.4.2)
• You should tell your patients whether treatment is guaranteed, under what circumstances and for how long. Make it clear any circumstances under which treatment is not guaranteed (2.4.3)