• Home
  • Store
    • Newsletter Subscriptions
    • Multimedia
    • Books
    • eBooks
    • ABPN SA Courses
    • Social Work Courses
  • CME Center
  • Multimedia
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Blog
    • Psychiatry News Videos
    • Medication Guide Videos
  • Newsletters
    • General Psychiatry
    • Child Psychiatry
    • Addiction Treatment
    • Hospital Psychiatry
    • Geriatric Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapy and Social Work
  • FAQs
  • Med Fact Book App
  • Log In
  • Register
  • Welcome
  • Sign Out
  • Subscribe
Home » The Role of Etiquette-Based Medicine

The Role of Etiquette-Based Medicine

January 1, 2009
Glen Spielmans, PhD
From The Carlat Psychiatry Report
Issue Links: Learning Objectives | Editorial Information | PDF of Issue
Section editor, Glen Spielmans, PhD

Dr. Spielmans has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies ertaining to this educational activity.

Subject:
Practice Issues

Short Description:
The Role of Etiquette-Based Medicine

Background:
We’ve all been told from time to time that we should mind our manners. A Boston psychiatrist, Michael Kahn, suggests that manners are not limited to dinner parties; rather, he calls for “etiquettebased medicine.” Dr. Kahn is not writing about displaying empathy toward patients (though this is certainly important) – he’s talking about simply showing common courtesy and respect. He proposes that to increase patient satisfaction, physicians should seriously consider developing protocols for proper behavior, even creating checklists that remind us how to behave in the presence of patients. For example, he devised a checklist for an initial meeting with a hospitalized patient that included: asking permission to enter the room; introducing oneself; shaking hands; sitting down (smiling if appropriate); explaining one’s role; and asking how the patient feels about being in the hospital. Such checklists could be adapted to a wide variety of situations and could be used to help train students and residents (Kahn MW, N Engl J Med 2008;358:1987-1988).

TCPR's Take:
It is sad to think that physicians need to be reminded to display common courtesy; however, nearly every physician has heard patients complain of another doctor’s poor manners. Treating patients with respect is important for many reasons, one of which is that it improves adherence to treatment. Devising some simple professional routines to use during client encounters is likely a good idea; it is hard to see a downside to consistent professionalism.                                                                    

General Psychiatry
KEYWORDS practice management practice-tools-and-tips
    Ccpr octnovdec2020 qa1 headshot spielmans 150x150
    Glen Spielmans, PhD

    L-Methylfolate May Offer Modest Boost to Antidepressants

    More from this author
    www.thecarlatreport.com
    Issue Date: January 1, 2009
    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Table Of Contents
    Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is Approved. Now What?
    The New Brain Devices in Psychiatry: A Brief Review
    SSRI Discontinuation Linked to Poor Outcomes
    Practical Issues in Using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
    The Role of Etiquette-Based Medicine
    DOWNLOAD NOW
    Featured Book
    • MFB7e_Print_App_Access.png

      Medication Fact Book for Psychiatric Practice, Seventh Edition (2024) - Regular Bound Book

      The updated 2024 reference guide covering the most commonly prescribed medications in psychiatry.
      READ MORE
    Featured Video
    • KarXT (Cobenfy)_ The Breakthrough Antipsychotic That Could Change Everything.jpg
      General Psychiatry

      KarXT (Cobenfy): The Breakthrough Antipsychotic That Could Change Everything

      Read More
    Featured Podcast
    • shutterstock_2622607431.jpg
      General Psychiatry

      Should You Test MTHFR?

      MTHFR is a...
      Listen now
    Recommended
    • Join Our Writing Team

      July 18, 2024
      WriteForUs.png
    • Insights About a Rare Transmissible Form of Alzheimer's Disease

      February 9, 2024
      shutterstock_2417738561_PeopleImages.com_Yuri A.png
    • How to Fulfill the DEA's One Time, 8-Hour Training Requirement for Registered Practitioners

      May 24, 2024
      DEA_Checkbox.png
    • Join Our Writing Team

      July 18, 2024
      WriteForUs.png
    • Insights About a Rare Transmissible Form of Alzheimer's Disease

      February 9, 2024
      shutterstock_2417738561_PeopleImages.com_Yuri A.png
    • How to Fulfill the DEA's One Time, 8-Hour Training Requirement for Registered Practitioners

      May 24, 2024
      DEA_Checkbox.png
    • Join Our Writing Team

      July 18, 2024
      WriteForUs.png
    • Insights About a Rare Transmissible Form of Alzheimer's Disease

      February 9, 2024
      shutterstock_2417738561_PeopleImages.com_Yuri A.png
    • How to Fulfill the DEA's One Time, 8-Hour Training Requirement for Registered Practitioners

      May 24, 2024
      DEA_Checkbox.png

    About

    • About Us
    • CME Center
    • FAQ
    • Contact Us

    Shop Online

    • Newsletters
    • Multimedia Subscriptions
    • Books
    • eBooks
    • ABPN Self-Assessment Courses

    Newsletters

    • The Carlat Psychiatry Report
    • The Carlat Child Psychiatry Report
    • The Carlat Addiction Treatment Report
    • The Carlat Hospital Psychiatry Report
    • The Carlat Geriatric Psychiatry Report
    • The Carlat Psychotherapy Report

    Contact

    carlat@thecarlatreport.com

    866-348-9279

    PO Box 626, Newburyport MA 01950

    Follow Us

    Please see our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Subscription Agreement, Use of Cookies, and Hardware/Software Requirements to view our website.

    © 2025 Carlat Publishing, LLC and Affiliates, All Rights Reserved.