Contact:
Alice Sofield - 703/768-5618
Chandler Chicco Agency
U.S. SURGEON GENERAL RECIPIENT OF THE DISTINGUISHED PHYSICIAN COMMUNICATOR AWARD
Bayer Institute Launches National Search for the Outstanding Physician Communicator
August 9, 1999, Las Vegas - United States Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for Health David Satcher, M.D. today received the Bayer Institute Distinguished Physician Communicator Award, recognizing his communication skills and the positive influence these skills have on patient care. The award kicks off an annual search for a physician whose strong communication skills create solid relationships with patients to provide the best quality care. The award was presented to Dr. Satcher at the National Medical Association's 1999 Annual Convention & Scientific Assembly.
"As a family physician, communication was the one procedure I used with every patient, and I'm pleased to see that physicians will now be applauded for using this important tool," said Dr. Satcher. "As Surgeon General, I want to be seen as someone who listens to the American people and responds to what they say."
The Bayer Institute will sponsor an annual search for a practicing physician with outstanding communication skills. Patients, physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals can nominate physicians of all medical specialties from any practice setting. The Bayer Institute is looking for a physician who pairs clinical competence with good communication skills to provide the best patient care.
"The benefits of good communication are tremendous and the Bayer Institute wants to recognize physicians who understand the value," said J.Gregory Carroll, Ph.D., Director of the Bayer Institute for Health Care Communication. "Effective communication is more than just good bedside manner; it is a tangible skill that can be learned."
Nominees will be judged in four areas: engagement, empathy, education and enlistment:
Engagement: is the process by which doctor and patient initiate and maintain an effective working relationship. It is based on mutual trust and respect and a clearly articulated and demonstrated concern by the physician for the patient's welfare.
Empathy: is being present to the patient as a human being. This includes demonstrating an awareness and acknowledgement that the patient has feelings and values. Empathy requires attention, curiosity and a sincere interest in the patient's world.
Education: requires the physician to find out what the patient knows, to ask for and answer the patient's questions, and to help the patient understand and use important health information.
Enlistment: involves decision making and adherence to an agreed upon therapy. The physician must enlist the patient in understanding the diagnosis, discussing treatment options, and reviewing specific steps, benefits and risks related to treatment recommendations.
As the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Satcher utilizes the communication skills he honed as a family physician; this includes developing mutual trust and respect, listening and understanding what people tell him, and encouraging active patient participation.
Effective communication is critical to ensure that important public health messages reach the American people. Dr. Satcher continuously updates the public about his evolving priorities: working to establish a balanced community system that includes prenatal and infant education and healthcare; improving the mental health system to be caring and supportive instead of blame and stigmatization; eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health by focusing on infant mortality and increasing child and adult immunizations; and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, cancer screening and management, and diabetes complications.
Nomination forms are available by writing to The Bayer Institute Outstanding Physician Communicator Award, c/o Chandler Chicco Agency, P.O. Box 30969, New York, NY 10011
or by visiting the Bayer Institute web site at www.bayerinstitute.org.
The Bayer Institute for Health Care Communication is a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the quality of health care by improving communication between physicians and patients through education, research and advocacy. As of the spring of 1999, the Bayer Institute has taught communication skills to more than 40,000 physicians at more than 3,000 workshops. The Bayer Institute has partnered with more than 75 leading organizations and has created a faculty network of more than 400 members to offer programs to physicians nationwide. The Bayer Institute was founded in 1987 by the Bayer Corporation Pharmaceutical Division.
RSS