Patient Coughing in Hospital Appointment Room

This is a sound recording of a young adult male patient coughing in his appointment room at the Duke Student Wellness Center. This sound shows how the patient’s illness, which prompted the doctor visit in the first place, can also hinder his attempt at seeking proper medical care. The constant coughing as heard in the recording can not only interrupt the patient’s conversation with his physician, but it can also create a negative environment with the patient feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed and the physician feeling distracted or perhaps frustrated. Ultimately, the coughing serves as a barrier to effective communication between the patient and physician, and not knowing the patient’s complete narrative can prevent the physician from adequately treating the patient.