Consultant. Vol. 50 No. 12

Practical Pointers
Discover Shortcuts Devised by Colleagues

Stop the Talking and Start Listening

December 13, 2010

Often patients don’t realize that during auscultation of the heart and lungs we can’t hear them, and they continue to talk. One way to help prevent this is to listen to the lungs first instead of the heart. Ask patients to take deep breaths and they will stop talking. This strategy will allow you to conduct a thorough lung and heart examination.

—Gregory S. Morales, MD
Los Angeles

More Pointers >>

by James Peterzell | December 27, 2010 4:15 PM EST

agree- keep the thought- pts cont to breathe deeply when u change to the heart- ask them to breathe normally, they "cant do it."

by ROBERT MEYER | December 24, 2010 7:08 PM EST

KEEP THAT THOUGHT, INEVITIBLY THEY DON'T REMEMBER ANYWAY

by Lauren Butcher | December 23, 2010 12:58 PM EST

I take the ear pieces out and just let them know I cannot hear a word they're saying, that they sound sort of like the teacher on the Charlie Brown movies. You know, "Wha wha wha wah wah."If they have dementia I just do the "Shhhhh" sign, finger to the lips, and that usually works.

by Bernard Ilagan | December 23, 2010 12:08 PM EST

First line, imply "I now have to carefully listen to your heart and chest."

by John W. Davies | December 23, 2010 11:48 AM EST

simple and I like it... John W Davies

Article Comment Pages: 1 2 Next

TOPIC INDEX

Developmental/Genetic

Nutritional/Metabolic

FROM PHYSICIANS PRACTICE

Primary Care Can't Thrive Without Nurse Practitioners
Courtney H. Lyder, ND, May 17, 2013
With a projected shortfall of primary-care physicians, it's time for alternate solutions to patient care. Nurse practitioners are one logical remedy.

VWhat Physicians Can Learn from the Allscripts EHR Lawsuit
Marisa Torrieri, May 16, 2013
Lawsuit prompts question: What should physicians do to ensure they end up with a great EHR instead of buyer’s remorse?

Eight Ways ICD-9 Will Still Matter to Medical Practices
Brenda Edwards, CPC, May 15, 2013
What should your medical practice do with your ICD-9-CM book after October 1, 2014? Keep it.

Seven Ways Technology Can Speed Up Patient Collections
Cheyenne Brinson, May 15, 2013
Failing to adopt widely available billing and collections technology can cost medical practices big. Here's how to do it right.

Four Reasons Private Medical Practice is Becoming Extinct
Carol Stryker, May 15, 2013
It’s becoming increasingly difficult for private medical practices to thrive. Here’s what’s driving the trend toward consolidation.

Stop the Talking and Start Listening

Join the Conversation