Ethos, Pathos, Logos.

Ethos, Pathos, Logos are three very important words, in fact I propose they are the three words which will allow you to develop a "Patient Centred" approach to your clinical practice.

Ethos: Gain thrust. It forms the root word for "Ethics".

Pathos: First seek to understand. It forms the root for the word "Empathy".

Logos: Then to be understood. It forms the root for the word "Logic".

At your first meeting with a patient it is essential to gain their trust. Without trust even the best treatment may fail. Successful treatment requires synergy between patient and therapist.

First seek to understand, then to be understood. This is one of Stephen Coveys "Seven Habits"

I believe it is an essential tool in patient history taking, examination ans self treatment.

I have developed the "INTENT / RELEVANCE" cycle to assist therapists in developing the Pathos, logos in their patient interactions.

Intent is knowing why you are asking a question, relevance is the who, where, what, when and how of the patent's condition. In English relevance means pertaining to the matter at hand.

To use the Intent/relevance cycle you must first accept that when you ask a question with intent you will know why you are asking the question. Then you must stay silent and listen to the patient relevant answer, then you will form your next clinical question from the patient answer.

Too many therapists are forming their next question whilst the patient is trying to answer the last question.

Think; LISTEN and SILENT are made up of the same six letters for that very reason. To truly listen requires you to be silent and allow the patient to give your their relevant information.

Your next question comes from the patients last answer, hence Intent and Relevance form a circle and allow you to use pathos and logos in a cycle.

Remember His (her) Story is what you are trying to take not MY-story which spells mystery.

I would propose that the intent/relevance cycle also applies to your clinical testing. Choosing tests with intent will allow you to collect relevant meaningful data and set relevant clinical baselines for retesting.

I would also propose that the patients own baselines are the most accurate and relevant to the current condition and will be the best to measure treatment outcome.

So remember three simple words; Ethos, Pathos, Logos may improve your ability to practice as a patient centred therapist.