Effective communication is essential in healthcare and public safety fields where situations often require patience and understanding. Whether you’re a hospital administrator corresponding with staff, a 911 dispatcher speaking with callers, or a police officer updating concerned citizens, asking others to be patient must be done tactfully. This article explores professional ways these professions can request patience while maintaining a courteous, positive tone.
Why Patience is Crucial in Healthcare and Public Safety
In healthcare, patients and their families may already feel anxious or frustrated due to health issues or long waits. Meanwhile, hospital staff juggle immense responsibilities and urgent demands on their time. Clear communication and empathy on both sides is key. That’s why phrases like “please be patient” are so important. They acknowledge others’ feelings while politely asking for understanding.
For 911 dispatchers and police officers, remaining calm and asking callers or citizens to be patient can literally save lives during emergencies. It keeps the conversation productive and focused on solutions. Especially in times of crisis, a polite appeal for patience gives public safety personnel the time they need to gather information and coordinate the appropriate emergency response.
How to Professionally Ask for Patience
Whether spoken or written, how we ask for patience leaves an impression. Here are some polite, professional ways for healthcare and public safety communicators to request a little more time or understanding.
Spoken Communication
- “Thank you for your patience as we work to resolve this issue.”
- “We appreciate you holding on while we transfer your call.”
- “Please bear with us a little longer as we finalize the discharge instructions.”
- “Kindly allow me a moment to look up that information for you.”
- “I know waiting is difficult. We’re moving as fast as we can.”
- “I apologize for the delay. We are doing all we can to assist you.”
Speaking face-to-face or by phone allows us to soften requests for patience with a warm tone and empathy Short phrases like “Thanks for your patience” or “Just a moment please” convey gratitude and acknowledge the person’s cooperation,
Written Communication
- “We regret the extended response time and appreciate your patience.”
- “Thank you for your understanding as we work to update our system.”
- “We kindly ask for your patience during this difficult time. Please let us know if you need anything.”
- “We are working hard to resolve this issue. We greatly appreciate your patience.”
- “We are finalizing plans as quickly as possible. Your patience is much appreciated.”
- “Please accept our apologies for the delay. We are working diligently and will update you soon.”
In written communications like letters, emails, or social media posts, more formal language is often appropriate. Phrases like “Your patience is much appreciated” and “Please accept our apologies” convey sincere gratitude and goodwill
General Tips
- Set expectations up front when delays are anticipated. This helps others understand the situation and timeline.
- Offer regular status updates. Let people know you haven’t forgotten their request and that progress is being made.
- Express empathy. “We understand this is a difficult time…” lets people know you care.
- Apologize sincerely. “We apologize for any inconvenience caused” shows you take ownership of the issue.
- Thank the person. Gratitude phrases like “Thank you for understanding” go a long way.
- Avoid vague platitudes. Genric phrases like “Please be patient” can sound insincere without specifics.
- Use positive language. Saying “We’ll have an update soon” feels more reassuring than “This may take a while.”
Sample Scenarios and Responses
To make this advice more practical, let’s explore some examples of how to politely ask for patience in hypothetical healthcare and public safety scenarios
Healthcare Scenario
Situation: A patient’s family member calls the hospital wanting to know when their mother will be discharged after surgery. The discharge time is still being finalized by the care team.
Polite response: “Thank you for calling about your mother’s discharge. The care team is currently finalizing the plans to ensure her needs are met. I completely understand your desire to know her discharge time. Please bear with us for about 30 more minutes, and we will call you with a definite time. Your patience is greatly appreciated.”
Public Safety Scenario
Situation: A 911 dispatcher receives a call from a panicked witness reporting a multi-car highway accident. Responders have yet to arrive at the chaotic scene.
Polite response: “Please stay calm. Help is on the way. I know this is a frightening situation, but please be patient with me for just a couple more minutes while I gather some vital information from you. Take some deep breaths if you can. You’re doing great. The officers will be there soon thanks to your call.”
Takeaway
Whether you work in healthcare administration, emergency response, or another service field, adopting professional communication habits – including politely asking for patience – can improve interactions and outcomes. With empathy, active listening, clear expectations, and genuine appreciation, we can maintain cooperative relationships, even in difficult circumstances. Patience truly is a virtue, especially in times of stress.
Why is safety important?
FAQ
Why are people putting student driver stickers on cars?
What does please be patient student driver sticker mean?
What does “Please Be patient” mean?
Using the phrase “please be patient” can indeed be considered professional, formal or informal, and polite. This phrase is best employed in situations where delays are expected, and you wish to reassure the other party that progress is being made.
Is avoidable patient harm a public health concern?
Avoidable patient harm is a major public health concern, and may already have surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death in the United States. While the public health community has contributed much to one aspect of patient harm prevention, infection control, the tools and techniques of pu …
What is a synonym for “Please Be patient”?
Here are twelve alternatives that serve as synonyms for “please be patient.” 1. Thank you for your patience This alternative is both professional and polite, making it an excellent synonym for the original phrase. It acknowledges the waiting time that someone has already spent, adding a touch of gratitude.
Does public health contribute to patient safety science?
While the public health community has contributed much to one aspect of patient harm prevention, infection control, the tools and techniques of public health have far more to offer to the emerging field of patient safety science.
What are the National patient safety goals for 2024?
2024 National Patient Safety Goals Presentation NPSG 15.01.01 Suicide Prevention Resources Look-alike/sound-alike drug list Official “Do Not Use” List of Abbreviations Reduce the likelihood of patient harm associated with the use of anticoagulant therapy. The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals presentation for 2024.
Why do we collect information about emerging patient safety issues?
Each year we gather information about emerging patient safety issues from widely recognized experts and stakeholders. This information is the basis for our ®, which we tailor for each specific program. It also informs our sentinel event alerts, standards and survey processes, performance measures, and educational materials.
