What Approach can Primary Care Physicians Adopt to Manage their Patient who is Upset as a Result of Adverse Effect from their Treatment?

ABSTRACT

The article explores the various approaches a doctor can use in managing and upset patient. These approaches include BATHE (Background-Affect-Troubles-Handling-Empathy), LEARN (Listen-Explain-Acknowledge-Recommend and Negotiate) and LEAP (Listen-Empathise-Agree-Partnership). We include a case study of a 16 year old patient who presented with a sore throat. She subsequently developed a rash after starting Amoxicillin, which was later changed to Augmentin. The doctor utilised the BATHE approach in managing the patient’s unhappiness.