Health care providers play a crucial role in managing migraine patients effectively. This guide, “Taking Care of the Person with Migraine,” offers essential skills and strategies for clinicians to enhance patient care. From clear communication and varied treatments to empathy and support, these core skills are designed to improve outcomes and patient satisfaction. Whether you’re navigating treatment options or establishing clear expectations, this resource will equip you with the tools needed for comprehensive migraine management. Patients can also share this with their health care providers to ensure collaborative and effective care.
Core Skills for Healthcare Providers
Clear Communication: Use simple language, avoid jargon, and explain thoroughly. Be honest about treatment side effects and effectiveness. Admit if there is medical uncertainty or a lack of precise diagnosis.
Varied Treatments: Explore lifestyle changes, medications, injections, and other options. Respect patient priorities and empower them with choices.
Treatment Outcomes: Most patients will have partial responses rather than complete relief. Explain the nature of migraine and long-term expectations clearly.
Punctuality: Acknowledge and apologize for delays. Review clinic flow if lateness is frequent to improve time management.
Documentation: Write down recommendations, including investigations, referrals, behavioral advice, and treatment plans. Use handouts to help patients understand and remember your advice.
Diary Use: Encourage patients to keep headache diaries and review them carefully. Remind patients that diaries help with medical decisions and monitoring.
Tracking Treatments: Double-check current medications and keep a central record of past trials to streamline decision-making for future treatments.
Clear Expectations: Set clear guidelines for phone call returns, re-prescriptions, and urgent visits. Develop a rescue plan and explain when an emergency department visit is necessary.
Empathy and Support: Acknowledge patient suffering, side effects, and treatment failures. Offer support and display empathy. Address threatening or abusive behaviour respectfully and consider a patient contract if necessary.
Remember: This is teamwork, and the patient’s well-being is the priority.
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