Do
you know what your report sounds like to your patients? With your next patient
or two, ask permission to record your report with an unobtrusive audiocassette
recorder. The first time you'll probably be self-conscious, but after a couple
of times you'll hit your stride. Then, when you think you've hit the bull's-eye,
wait until everyone has left for the day, lock the door, hide all the sharp objects
and listen to your masterpiece.
Knowing that you're taping your report will
automatically improve it. But the real value is in experiencing the excruciating
pain of listening to yourself babble on and on. One doctor noticed that
he repeatedly asked his patient, "Okay?" You know, just to make sure
the patient was understanding and following the report. Only trouble was, he found
out he had asked that simple one-word question… 168 times! | 
