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Danielle Ofri

What Patients Say, What Doctors Hear Paperback – February 6, 2018

by Danielle Ofri MD (Author)

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Can refocusing conversations between doctors and their patients lead to better health?

Despite modern medicine’s infatuation with high-tech gadgetry, the single most powerful diagnostic tool is the doctor-patient conversation, which can uncover the lion’s share of illnesses. However, what patients say and what doctors hear are often two vastly different things.

Patients, anxious to convey their symptoms, feel an urgency to “make their case” to their doctors. Doctors, under pressure to be efficient, multitask while patients speak and often miss the key elements. Add in stereotypes, unconscious bias, conflicting agendas, and fear of lawsuits and the risk of misdiagnosis and medical errors multiplies dangerously.

Though the gulf between what patients say and what doctors hear is often wide, Dr. Danielle Ofri proves that it doesn’t have to be. Through the powerfully resonant human stories that Dr. Ofri’s writing is renowned for, she explores the high-stakes world of doctor-patient communication that we all must navigate. Reporting on the latest research studies and interviewing scholars, doctors, and patients, Dr. Ofri reveals how better communication can lead to better health for all of us.

Print length

248 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Beacon Press
Publication date

February 6, 2018
Dimensions

5.44 x 0.68 x 8.4 inches
ISBN-10

0807087491
ISBN-13

978-0807087497
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Her revealing doctor-patient stories often make her seem like the doctor that every patient wishes they had, and she draws on patient accounts to illustrate the problems that can arise in communication between doctor and patient. This book, however, goes far beyond Ofri’s personal experiences with patients. She delves into the relevant research on communication, citing some ingenious experiments on listening...A much-needed, convincing argument that, regarding doctor-patient communication, the stakes are very high and that what patients say is all too often not what doctors hear—and vice versa.”
—Library Journal

“This book has convinced me that the communication skills, which reveal a physician’s compassion, empathy, and respect, will also have a significant effect on the health outcomes of patients.”
—Eyenet Magazine

“With disarming candor and penetrating insight, Dr. Ofri illuminates the enormous power of what might seem at first a mundane and insignificant element in the practice of medicine: communication.”
—Deborah Tannen, professor of linguistics at Georgetown University and author of You Just Don’t Understand and You’re Wearing THAT?

“With the meticulous care of Oliver Sacks and the deep humanism of Atul Gawande, Danielle Ofri has written a book about the role of communication in medicine. She presents compelling evidence that even as doctoring appears to be dominated by technology, the human, affective relationship is at the very center of responsible practice.”
—Andrew Solomon, author of Far from the Tree

Praise for Danielle Ofri

“Taut, vivid prose...She writes for a lay audience with a practiced hand.”
—Katie Hafner, New York Times

“A gifted storyteller.”
—Sarah Halzack, Washington Post

“The world of patient and doctor exists in a special sacred space. Danielle Ofri brings us into that place where science and the soul meet. Her vivid and moving prose enriches the mind and turns the heart.”
—Jerome Groopman, author of How Doctors Think

“I highly recommend [Danielle Ofri’s work] for physicians, would-be doctors, and anyone interested in medicine in all its behind-the-scenes glory.”
—Sandeep Jauhar, author of Intern: A Doctor’s Initiation

“Danielle Ofri’s sensitivity to every aspect of her patients’ lives is immensely impressive and moving. If only more doctors could be (and write) like this!”
—Oliver Sacks, author of Awakenings

“[Ofri’s writing] about the emotional life of doctors and their patients, captivated me so much...Read[s] like a deftly crafted and luminously written novel.”
—Caroline Leavitt, Boston Globe

About the Author

Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, is an associate professor of medicine at the New York University School of Medicine and has cared for patients at New York’s Bellevue Hospital for more than two decades. She is the author of, most recently, What Doctors Feel: How Emotions Affect the Practice of Medicine, as well as the critically acclaimed Singular Intimacies, Incidental Findings, Medicine in Translation, and the e-book original volume Intensive Care. Writing in the Guardian in the spring of 2016, Andrew Solomon singled out Ofri as the only woman among an extraordinary new generation of doctor writers, saying, “Ofri has produced four impressive books and numerous articles, all striking for their reversion to empathy, their willingness to sense not only the physical life of a patient, but also the emotional.” She lives in New York City.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beacon Press; Reprint edition (February 6, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0807087491
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0807087497
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.44 x 0.68 x 8.4 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #125,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #32 in Doctor-Patient Relations
- #38 in Medical Ethics (Books)
- #16,121 in Health, Fitness & Dieting (Books)

Customer Reviews:
171 ratings

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Danielle Ofri

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Danielle Ofri is a doctor at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. She is one of the foremost voices in the medical world today, shining an unflinching light on the realities of healthcare and speaking passionately about the doctor-patient relationship. Her newest book is "When We Do Harm: A Doctor Confronts Medical Error."

Ofri is a regular contributor to the New York Times and is also the editor-in-chief of the Bellevue Literary Review. She lives in New York City and is determined to get through the Bach cello suites before she kicks the bucket.

Here's her TED talk on Deconstructing Perfection: https://youtu.be/CaSv741Gjlg

And her TED talk on Fear, A Necessary Emotion: https://youtu.be/yToDJlfa_Tc

She's also performed at The Moth: https://youtu.be/9h5lkiizC7M

All of Danielle Ofri's articles and events can be found at: www.danielleofri.com

You can get her monthly(ish) newsletter: https://danielleofri.com/subscribe/

Twitter: @danielleofri

Facebook: DanielleOfriMD

Instagram: danielle_ofri

(Photo Credits: Joon Park and John Abbot)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

171 global ratings

5 star		75%
4 star		15%
3 star		5%
2 star		3%
1 star		3%

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Read Right

Good story teller

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 25, 2022

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Author tells good stories about doctor-patient communication. She adds research findings into the topic. She describes how the medical community has recognized the critical need of improvement in these communications. The author is also a practicing doctor so she is directly involved in the issue.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

J. Phillips

Disappointing

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 14, 2022

Verified Purchase

Despite the usual mix of potentially interesting patient stories, I lost interest and was even turned off by the writing, in both content and style.
Specific problems, in my opinion, include poorly supported conclusions priorities in doctor-patient relationships, and, overall, a seeming unwillingness to honestly call out failures on the part of adults, especially difficult and patients who were simply irresponsible and uncooperative.
To me at least, neither the writing and conclusions here are at the level of writers like Atul Gawande or Jerome Groopman. On the topic of patient doctor communications, Groopman's How Doctors Think is far more interesting, better written, and more helpful.

Helpful

Jennifer Schneider M.D.

how easily misunderstandings take place

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 27, 2017

Verified Purchase

When I recently came across Dr Danielle Ofri's book "What Patients Say, What Doctors Hear," I was particularly interested because as an internal medicine physician who is also a chronic pain specialist, I am very aware of the importance of communication between doctor and patient, and the value of getting to know the patient and his/her life and activities as part of the evaluation of the patient's needs and determination of appropriate treatment. In fact, I also teach a nation-wide remedial opioid prescribing course primarily to physicians and nurse practitioners who've been disciplined by the state professional licensing boards related to their prescribing of controlled substances. In my course I repeatedly emphasize the importance of connecting with the patient and engaging with them, all too frequently a missing piece. I was thrilled to read what Dr Ofri had to say; her book gives several detailed examples of the value of engaging with the patient, how easily misunderstandings take place, and the problems that ensue when inadequate communication is present. . This is particularly important when it comes to "difficult" patients, patients who especially need a doctor who is willing to ask questions, listen to the answers, and to problem-solve with the patient. I think this is a very valuable book, much needed, and one that can really help health professionals to do a better job.

10 people found this helpful

Helpful

William Edward Schenck

Communication as a tool for excellent medical care.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 22, 2017

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I found it refreshing that a doctor would be so concerned with communication with patients that she would go to this much trouble to research the literature, interview patients and doctors and suggest that this simple tool is as valuable to successful medical outcomes as any other medical procedure. Dr. Ofri invites us to witness the lives of several remarkable people who are defined not by their illness but rather by their character and she highlights how a clarity in understanding of the patient's needs is far more important then knowing just the person's malady. She juxtaposes the barriers doctors face in communicating with patients with the desire of patients to be given the best possible treatment . On the patient's behalf, she quotes the author Anatole Broyard who wrote "To the typical physician, my illness is a routine incident in his rounds, while for me it's the crisis of my life." She goes on to say that rather than seeing the conversation between doctor and patient as the utilitarian humdrum of a visit, the conversation should be viewed as the single most important tool of medical care. The book is written in an engaging style with perhaps a few too many forced metaphors. I enjoyed reading it and wish it became widely read by those in the medical field.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

Amazon Customer

Another great book on the power of communication

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 22, 2017

Verified Purchase

Dr. Ofri has written another great book about the importance of doctor and patient communication (I also loved her book, What Doctors Feel). Apart from being a great writer, Dr. Ofri has the ability to articulate the "inner voice" that all doctors possess. As a doctor reading this book, you will find that your own inner voice will come to life. It is also a great book for patients to read. The book demonstrates the powers of empathy and humility on patient care. It sets a standard for what patients should expect in their relationship with their doctors. Readers will come to see that healthcare consists of much more than medications or procedures. All this is done through interesting and well written stories that make the read effortless.Through these stories and anecdotes, a philosophy of patient care will emerge for the reader and alter the way he or she looks at medicine in the future. The reader will also be touched by the book's poignancy.

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

JFR

Having a good death vs having a bad death.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 5, 2017

Verified Purchase

This book is so amazing: interesting, educational, has some great humor, that I can't put it down. I am about half way through. I am in my late 80's and the book affirmed my negative thoughts about doctor's goals of their practice, through these many years. If only doctors would read the book and open their minds to it. I fear doctors and, without apology to anyone, often do not do what they say. Going by their directions seems to me like gambling. Medical knowlege and being given sensible medical orders, based on understanding the patient and also good science, is needed so badly. It contributes to having a good death rather than a bad death. But not understanding the patient's physical problems can, indeed, lead to a bad death. Thinking of dying a natural death is not so scary, but thinking of having a bad death is horrifying!

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Researcher

Great insights!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 13, 2021

Verified Purchase

Well, I know my intentions and what I say as a patient, but wanted to find out what my doctor might be hearing. Very insightful read! So good that I bought a copy for my sister.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Pagchair

an excellent read full of wisdom and insights

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 7, 2017

Verified Purchase

an excellent read full of wisdom and insights. Relevant anecdotes from a busy clinical life. Some helpful references that I have followed up to learn more. A must read for doctors (and others) who want to understand what is happening in their "meetings with strangers".

Huh

Great book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

Came in great condition. Good read.

One person found this helpful

john

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 20, 2017

Verified Purchase

Very easy to read. Useful in understanding patient doctor interaction.

Amazon Customer

Empathy at its best

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 8, 2017

Verified Purchase

Very very interesting read and one I could really relate to

Sanju Cyriac

Most realistic one

Reviewed in India 🇮🇳 on June 15, 2019

Verified Purchase

Oh Danielle... This one was straight from the heart. Shows your passion to the profession. I could feel myself in most of those lines. Today's demanding world needs more effective communication to regain the lost trust. Not to mention the pressure from management, doctors are the most stressed ones.

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