Imperceptible Interventions that Change a Situation to ImproveHealth: That Red Dot in the Middle of the Painting

Abstract

The author’s intention is to draw attention to the impact of general practitioner’s actions on the patient, however small or insignificant they may seem. Thus, some of the doctor’s actions are a “minimal stroke of genius,” like when “a single, minimal, brilliant, almost imperceptible brushstroke in a painting surpasses the meticulous, ostentatious, and elaborate work of another painting that took years to complete.” These are the simple, seemingly insignificant actions of the doctor that suddenly change the entire situation and produce significant benefits for improving health: 1. Washing hands in front of the patient; 2. The nocebo and placebo effects; 3. The “casual” question, “Tell me, what worries you most about what’s happening to you?”; 4. The “closing” question (“Is there anything else that worries you?”); 5. The importance of nonverbal communication; 6. Medication reconciliation (reviewing what patient is taking); 7. Checking for understanding (“Explain to me what you’re going to do”). The general practitioner must be consciously aware of these imperceptible moments
that suddenly make the consultation shine.