Research has taught us time and time again how important patient-centered healthcare is. Patients want and need to be part of their treatment decision-making. Where they lack autonomy we often see low mood, feelings of helplessness and non-compliance.
When we better communicate and engage with our patients we see greater satisfaction in our patients and trust from them. Research into non-verbal communication highlights the significance of clinician eye contact in developing a rapport with patients and their trust in us as healthcare professionals. When trust is established patient feel more confident to ask questions and express their thoughts and emotions.
Research by Hillen et al (2015) talked about the importance of mirroring and physical nearness and leaning in towards patients, these behaviors encouraged patients to feel more ‘seen and heard’ by their clinician. This can lead to greater feelings of empowerment and control for the patient. All of these positive non-verbal communication behaviors and tools are easier to achieve in an upright orientation where the patient's field of view is not limited to the treatment room ceiling but to their entire surroundings in the treatment room including the healthcare professionals who are responsible for their treatment.
A reduced field of view can also initiate a ‘fight or flight’ reaction in some patients. When the brain is unable to assess danger or threat due to reduction in one of the senses, which in this case is sight, the brain can activate the fight or flight response in an attempt to protect itself should danger occur. Stress hormones are released causing an increase in blood pressure, heart rate and breathing. All of which can trigger feelings of panic in the patient due to perceived helplessness further exacerbated by being told to stay completely still or being immobilized with equipment such as a mask that clips them to the treatment bed itself. Being able to see their environment will for some people assist in reducing triggers that can cause this physical reaction by allowing them to feel more in control of their environment.
A research study lead by Dr. Erik Peper at San Francisco State University found that when sitting upright, not only is eye-to-eye contact important but it can reduce negative thoughts.
“Individuals who adopted an upright bodily position, took a breath, and then reframed their negative thoughts, were significantly more successful in reducing their anxiety compared to individuals who reframed their negative thoughts without adopting an upright bodily posture.”