Why Acrylic Brochure Holders?
A doctor’s greatest ally, believe it or not, is the well-informed patient. One might think differently. In fact, in popular media these roles always seem to be antagonistic and opposing. The aging doctor feeling insecure when the patient anticipates his diagnosis; a know-it-all patient trusting the Internet over the M.D. and winding up dead because he believed some crack-pot homeopathic cure; both harboring feelings of superiority, and nothing gets done. We’ve all seen these depictions in sitcoms or episodes of ER, but is this reality? Are doctors really so insecure that a patient armed with some clinical study abstracts and pre-conceived notions sends them on the defensive? Are some patients really so arrogant as to disregard a trained doctor’s medical advice? I suppose if every examination room wall could talk, at least several would report back in the affirmative for both questions. The vast majority of doctors actually welcomes well-informed patients – they make their jobs easier and increase the chance that the patient will actually understand the doctor’s terminology.
The result is a streamlined flow of information between doctor and patient. It’s almost as if they have become peers and the two can speak frankly and effortlessly, like two doctors discussing a medical case. That’s exaggeration, of course, but it’s true that treatment moves more smoothly when the doctor doesn’t have to stop to explain every single little detail to the clueless patient.
Young and middle-aged patients tend to be the best-informed. They’re the ones for whom the Internet has become a research staple. Interested in dining out tonight? Hop online for thousands of restaurant reviews. Worried about that rash? You can probably find a decent approximation of a diagnosis online. It’s your elderly patients – the most numerous of all – that are largely computer illiterate and, therefore, mostly ignorant of medical issues (unless they’re talking about their own previous health issues – we all know how Grandpa lives to discuss his arthritis to anyone who’ll listen). They do seem to have a healthy curiosity and willingness to learn, so you just have to present information in their terms.
Aside from perhaps including “Internet for Dummies” with your waiting room fare, your best bet is to set up an assortment of acrylic brochure holders containing informational brochures. When designing brochures, skew simplistic; you have to assume these people are walking in with little to no existing medical knowledge. Give general overviews supported by details. Provide the basic necessary information and the patients will respond with intelligent follow-up questions in the exam room.
Tags: acrylic brochure holders, brochure holders, Brochures, doctor's office, doctors, medical advice, plastic brochure holders, Plastic Products, waiting room
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