How can I handle my difficult patients better?

Answer:  Read this article: Difficult doctors, difficult patients by Dr Aaron Johnston.

It is such a good article.  I love Dr J’s list of tips at the end:

I’ve found that there are a few easy things that I can do to make almost all of my encounters with so called ‘difficult patients’ actually very pleasant.

• Let the patient have their say. If I think a patient is angry because they feel unheard I try (and it’s hard) to keep my mouth shut for 5 minutes and listen to their story. Usually the story is over in 2 minutes, and the frustration on both sides decreases.
• I give my best treatment options to the patient, but I don’t take it personally if my patients choose a different path.
• I apologize when I have inconvenienced my patients, and I empathize when my patients are inconvenienced by things beyond my control.
• When I don’t know the answer I say “I don’t know the answer”.
• I try to have a non-medical conversation with my patients on the way to and from the waiting room.

Of course, those tips would be good advice for all professionals handling difficult clients.