How to Deal with Anxious Patients

Anxiety is a growing problem in the population at large. In high-stress or uncomfortable situations, like those patients commonly experience during treatment, anxiety can intensify and disrupt processes. Between 11% and 80% of adults suffer from anxiety, and doubtlessly they are patients you see every day.

Their anxiety can be completely harmless, manifesting only in slight discomfort, but in higher degrees, patient anxiety can get in the way of the care of these patients or cause tension between patients and their medical attendants. Worse, it could ruin their whole experience with care provided, making them even more anxious the next time they seek help.

With the prevalence of anxiety in patients, and its potentially adverse effects on patients seeking medical care, it is only imperative that industry professionals – especially those that give firsthand care and interaction – be knowledgeable in handing these situations. Here steps that can be taken to effectively manage anxious patients. 

Tips for Dealing with Anxious Patients

One of the most basic principles in reducing patient anxiety is acknowledging their anxiety. This allows the patient to open up about their fears, and you, the medical professional, to address these fears.

Here are a few other tips on how to deal with anxious patients:

1. Educate the patient about their disease/procedure.

Several studies, like this one done on chemotherapy patients, found that educating patients about the procedure or their condition effectively reduces patient anxiety. But when it comes to patient education, this other study done on colonoscopy patients found out that simply handing out leaflets and educational materials to patients is not as effective as interactive patient education methods. Getting a chance to thoroughly educate the patients is allowing them a sense of control in a situation where they often feel helpless and uncertain by letting them know what to expect.

2. Educate and communicate with the patient’s family members.

Anxiety can be contagious. When the patient senses a lot of tension or fear in the people that surround them, they are more likely to feel worse. Extend the same education and communication to the family members, because they’re the ones who can best encourage the anxious patient.

3. Be calm.

Any trace of anxiety and uncertainty from you can be stressful for the patient. Use language that is calm and understanding as opposed to impersonal and robotic.

4. Practice compassion and empathy.

Perhaps the best way to do this is to ask yourself, “What if this were me or someone close to me?”

It is easy to dismiss strangers, especially when you are tired or feel like the fear is overblown. But though you may have witnessed these medical procedures go off without a hitch a million times, it may be the first time for the anxious patient and they are filled with uncertainty. Put yourself in your anxious patient’s shoes and figure out how you would feel and how you would prefer to be treated under stressful circumstances.

5. Look professional.

Gaining a person’s trust in any situation can be challenging. But it is more challenging to convince anyone to trust you when you don’t look the part of someone they can rely on, especially with something as important as their lives. Make sure you show up to your patients looking and smelling clean, well put-together, and wearing professional attire that fits your rank.

The Importance of Uniforms in Reducing Patient Anxiety

It’s harder to believe that a medical facility can be trusted to take care of your life when its medical professionals wear dirty, faded, damaged, or poorly-maintained uniforms. These are indications of improper management, lack of attention to detail, and general disregard.

Achieve a professional image with uniforms that are clean and well-maintained! HandCraft is your medical linen needs expert, providing top-notch healthcare uniforms and linens and laundry services of the highest medical industry caliber for every department of your facility. Choose from our ambulatory and primary care linens as well as hospital and acute care linens!