Healthcare Communication: Effective Techniques for Clinicians

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Listen to communication experts in the healthcare industry talk about most effective practices, lessons learned and how to overcome clinician challenges in communicating with patients.

DocCom.org


    • Nov 30, 2019 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 22m AVG DURATION
    • 93 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Healthcare Communication: Effective Techniques for Clinicians

    Teaching Communication Skills

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2019 22:17


    Dennis Novack, MD, founder of DocCom.org, an online communication skills program for hospitals, residency programs and medical schools, discusses the influence of Dr. George Engel, research about the impact of good communication skills and best practices for teaching communication skills. This is the final episode of the podcast. Host Barbara Lewis can be reached at BarbaraLewis@JoansFamilyBillOfRights.com.

    md physicians communication skills novack teaching communication doccom
    How to Ensure Trainee Well-being

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2019 23:21


    Mitchell D. Feldman, MD, MPhil, discusses how to mentor trainees to help them find their purpose and reconnect with their reason for entering the profession; the steps for integrating personal and professional life; the Japanese ikigai as a guide; traits of compulsivity and three questions at the end of the day to reconnect with purpose.

    Incorporating Relationship-Centered Communication Strategies into Clinical Skills Courses

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2019 19:01


    Rob Shochet, MD, discusses relationship centered communication strategy, three important skill sets, how to use the computer in the exam room and other communication techniques.

    How to Use Hypnosis to Improve Outcomes

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2019 19:01


    John Christensen, PhD, describes the medical conditions where hypnosis is used and verbal techniques on how to use hypnosis by talking to patients to improve outcomes.

    The Ability to Find Joy in the Midst of Tragedy: An Afghan Surgeon’s Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2019 11:42


    Homa Dost, MD, a surgeon in Afghanistan discusses the challenges in finding joy in her work.

    Empathic Communication Strategies

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2019 24:13


    Elizabeth Morrison, LCSW, MAC, discusses the fascinating research on empathy's impact on health outcomes and three important techniques to convey empathy.

    Remediating Communication Skills in Medical Students

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2019 16:28


    Kathy Cole-Kelly, MS, MSSW, discusses how to identify medical students who need communication remediation and the specific steps she undertakes to ensure they pass Step 2 CS.

    Patient-Centered Interviewing to Uncover Mental Health Issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2019 21:37


    In about a quarter of all patients seen in a year have in a mental health disorder of depression, substance use or anxiety. Unfortunately, clinicians aren't trained on what to do. Oftentimes, the physical symptoms signal an underlying mental issue. Listen to Bob Smith, MD, talk about the red flag complaints and how treating the mental disorder helps the physical ailment. His episode on patient-centered interviewing is one of the top three downloaded podcasts.

    Trust: Competence, Care, Consistency and Courage

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2019 19:14


    David Pendleton, DPhil, discusses how to sustain trust, how to address a patient when trust is lost and what to do when is trust undermined.

    Soliciting Goals for Care: The Gateway to Shared Decision Making

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2019 17:58


    Howard Beckman, MD, discusses why every clinician needs to know the patients' goals, how articulating goals improves outcomes and helps the clinicians and what the research reflects; he encourages people to continue his innovative research.

    Difficult Conversations When Prescribing Longitudinal Controlled Drugs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2019 26:21


    Ted Parran, MD, discusses how to deal with the 10 percent of the U.S. population with a substance use disorder, who seek euphoric drugs. How to say NO without jeopardizing the relationship or suffering low patient satisfaction scores, and how to help the patient understand your position and de-escalate a conversation using the PEARLS technique.

    Empathy 101: Should You Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve? 

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2019 19:22


    Kevin Dorsey, MD, PhD, discusses his experiences with patients when he's his genuine self. He describes his empathy course and his students' reactions years later.

    Tune Your Antennae to Non-Verbal Communication: Improve the Patient Experience

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2019 25:37


    Jeannette Shorey, MD, discusses how to conduct a very efficient patient enounter by learning non-verbal cues, which can save time for a clinician, how to handle mixed messages, how mirroring can influence the patient.

    Relationship Centered Healthcare: Improving Patient Outcomes

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2019 22:01


    Anthony Suchman, MD, MA, FACP, talks about the three guideposts for developing relationships, the mistakes that clinicians make in developing relationships with patients and how clinician can quickly develop relationships with patients in the era of shortened appointments.

    The Art and Practice of "Being With" the Patient

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2019 22:01


    Marcus Engel, MS, CXPX, CSP, discusses the most impactful words, which clinicians said to him, after being blinded in a horrific automobile accident and spending over six weeks in the hospital. Learn more about Marcus at MarcusEngel.com and read his books, "I'm Here" and the Other End of the Stethoscope."

    Every Patient Tells a Story: How to Heal Your Patients by Listening to Their Stories

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2019 25:18


    Lisa Sanders, MD, is author of  the popular Diagnosis column for the New York Times Magazine, which inspired the Fox TV program, House M.D. Her previous NYT column, Think Like a Doctor, was the inspiration for a seven-hour documentary series about the process of diagnosis, which is airing on Netflix in August 2019. In 2010 she published the book, Every Patient Tells a Story: Medical Mysteries and the Art of Diagnosis. Her most recent book is titled, Diagnosis: Solving the Most Baffling Medical Mysteries. The fascinating podcast conversation is about how to organize the patient encounter, techniques for showing the patient that you're interested in their story, use of video tape with residents and coaching residents.

    Communicating with Patients Who Have Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2019 17:06


    Elaine Khoong, MD, MS, discusses the rationale for using certified medical interpreters and the astounding error rate when ad hoc (e.g. family member) interpreters are used, how you explain to patients that you want to use a certified medical  interpreter rather than an ad hoc interpreter and resources to help communicate with LEP patients.

    Using the RESPECT Model to Build a High-Performance Team

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2019 22:57


    Co-author of the DocCom module on high performance teams, Carol Mostow, LICSW, discusses the RESPECT model, an acronym for Respect, Explanatory model, Social context, Power, Empathy, Concerns and Trust. Learn how using a quick technique can change the entire tone of a meeting.   

    Tips and Techniques to Rekindle Joy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2019 14:23


    Susmita Pati, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Program Advisor for the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University discusses what individuals, teams and systems can do to rekindle joy. 

    The Cherished Relationship: How Clinicians Can Improve Outcomes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2019 20:51


    Listen to renowned author and cardiologist, Eric Topol, MD, discuss the five qualities of deep understanding and how clinicians can incorporate them into their practice, using smart phone technology to bond with the patient and crying with a patient.

    What Patient Say, What Doctors Hear: How to Improve Listening Skills

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2019 24:37


    Well-known book author Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, discusses how listening affects the quality of what patients say, the golden minute, full frontal listening and how listening impacts diagnostic error and burnout.

    Conversation Ready – How to Prepare for End of Life Conversations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2019 27:01


    Kelly McCutcheon Adams, MSW, LCSW, talks about IHI's Conversation Ready project and end of life conversations. Learn how systems can become ready; the Conversation Ready principles: Exemplify, Connect, Engage and Steward all of which are the foundation for respect; and the advantages for systems to be conversation ready. The IHI white paper and tool kit are available at ihi.org. 

    Promoting Self-Management Among Patients with Chronic Conditions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2019 22:20


    Krista Hirschmann, PhD, discusses a unique methodology for motivating patients to manage their care and helping patients to take control of their situation, so they don't feel so overwhelmed.

    Tips and Techniques to Demonstrate Empathy 

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2019 19:17


    Sateesh Arja, MD,MPH, discusses using humanities to inspire empathy; incorporating NURS and PEARLS technique to develop empathy and the challenges to empathy.

    The Family Interview: Techniques and Pitfalls

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2019 21:17


    Tom Campbell, MD, author of DocCom module on the Family Interview, explains how is the family interview different, the first steps in the family interview, the importance of the genogram, techniques to handle the disruptive family member and the biggest pitfall in the family interview.

    Storytelling: The Key to Successful Outcomes

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2019 28:20


    Listen to Eric Manheimer, MD, a producer and writer on the successful TV series, New Amsterdam, based on his book, Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital, where he was the medical director for 15 years. He discusses how to allow space for the patient to talk; the opening questions to elicit the story, so that clinicians understand what exacerbates the diseases; major factors why patients won't divulge their stories and much more. 

    Communicating with Patients as Consumers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2019 24:02


    Zeev Neuwirth, MD, MPH, MACP, discusses his proposed shift on how we think about healthcare - less concerned with technical aspects and more concerned with people; the marketing mindset focused on consumers; communication changes when we think about patients as consumers and valued customers; and how this technique influences the amount of time a clinician spends with the "consumer."

    How Active Listening Improves the Patient and Clinician Experience

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2019 18:28


    Sheira Schlair, MD, MS, talks about how to get ready to listen, the elements of active listening including non-verbal cues, the five stages of active listening and the major mistakes in listening.

    Geriatric Interview: Effective Techniques for Getting the Most Out of 15 Minutes

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2019 24:53


    Erika Manu, MD, co-author of DocCom Module 23, The Geriatric Interview, discusses how to speak with older patients and why raising your voice is not advised; sitting without back light; working with the team to assess the patient; confidentiality when a caregiver is involved, plus other important techniques.

    Talking with Patients about Their Requests for Specialist Consultants

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2019 19:09


    Richard Kravitz, MD, discusses how technology will impact the request for specialty consultations, three types of responses to patients who want consultations, the barriers for clinicians to talk with patients about their requests and how denial for requests impacts patient satisfaction scores.

    Tips and Techniques for Communicating with Patients via Telemedicine

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2019 24:42


    Steven Locke, MD, offers recommendations for clinicians who want to use telemedicine. Find out about treating patients across states or around the world, the differences in communicating in person vs. remotely, why certain video platforms can't be used and the biggest mistakes clinicians make in telemedicine. 

    Patient-Centered Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Method

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2019 18:20


    Auguste H. Fortin VI, MD, MPH, MACP, the lead author of the book, Smith’s Patient-Centered Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Method, fourth edition, discusses 11 steps for interviewing the patient as outlined in the book, and the biggest pitfalls of the patient interview, such as not setting the agenda, which leads to "door knob conversations." 

    Negotiating through Conflict: Getting What You Want and Need

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2019 25:18


    Kathleen Kieran, MD, discusses five conflict styles to use with patients and colleagues. 

    Agenda Setting: Taking Care of Patients and Building the Relationship When I Only Have 15 Minutes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2019 24:37


    Julie Crosson, MD, shares 10 tools she teaches to help physicians negotiate the agenda with their patients, which helps improve patient satisfaction.

    Listen to the Patient’s Story & Find the Diagnosis

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2019 25:24


    Sal Mangione, MD, discusses the royal road to diagnosis, where 80 percent of the diagnosis is based on history taking, which he describes like writing a play. 

    ART of Communication: Ask-Respond-Tell Techniques

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2019 21:50


    Marla R. Rowe-Gorosh, MD, discusses how to use the Ask-Respond-Tell technique with patients. She talks about how to be more empathic and why it saves time and how to use the PEARLS technique.

    How to Convince Patients to Take Their Medicines

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2019 19:38


    Listen to our expert, Lars Osterberg, MD, discuss the shared responsibility of clinicians and patients for medicine adherence, motivating patients to engage in treatment, the major reasons why patients don't take their meds and how to uncover the truth about patients taking medicines.

    Listening: A Prescription for Excellent Patient Care

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2019 21:16


    Joan Lowery, MEd, discusses the three components of effective listening skills, teachback tips, the relationship between listening skills and empathy, how listening leads to shorter appointments with patients, four barriers for active listening, the characteristics of good listeners and the joy that listening brings to the clinician. For a list of reading material on listening skills, contact Joan at  joan@lowerycommunications.com  

    The Art of Listening with Empathy and the Clinician Benefits

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2019 28:07


    Nicole Defenbaugh, PhD discusses verbal and non-verbal tips for listening with empathy and how empathic listening improves outcomes for the patient and reduces errors, and improves HCAHPS scores and the clinicians' well being. Find out when silence is golden.

    How to End the Patient-Clinician Relationship

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2019 20:45


    Peter Lichstein, MD, FACP, FACH, discusses a core set of steps to end the relationship, what happens when difficult patients need to be dismissed and how to manage saying goodbye to patients.

    Negotiating the Agenda with the Patient

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2019 20:55


    Julie Crosson, MD, discusses proven techniques on eliciting agenda items and negotiating those items, which helps ensure patient and provider satisfaction.

    Don’t Take Your Organs to Heaven, Heaven Know We Need Them Here: How a Surgeon Talks with Families about Organ Donation

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2019 20:00


    Cardio-thoracic surgeon, Kathy Magliato, MD, MBA, FACS, recommends that every surgeon be prepared for a conversation about an organ donation and can learn by reaching out to their organ procurement organization. She discusses how to help families in tragic situations and how to close the loop with the family about the organ donation.  

    Using Computers in the Exam Room

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2019 26:04


    Maria Alkureishi, MD, explains the mnemonic HUMAN LEVEL when using the computer in the exam room. She serves as a primary physician for infants, children and teens at the University of Chicago. She is a leading researcher on incorporating computers in the exam room. She has presented at many national and international meetings on the subject. She has contributed to DocCom Module 14 on Non-verbal communication, which includes important information on computer and electronic medical records. 

    Communicating with Patients about Medically Unexplained Symptoms

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2019 25:26


    Francesca Dwamena, MD, MS, talks about her 20-year journey researching medically unexplained symptoms and discusses how using the mnemonic ECGN for three types of MUS patients helps clinicians communicate with each group.

    How to Deliver Good News: It's Harder Than You Think

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2019 22:00


    Douglas Maynard, PhD, discusses how to use perspective display sequence and recommends clinicians ask before telling. He is a sociology professor at University of Wisconsin – Madison. He’s studied the delivery and reception of both good and bad news. He is the recipient of the 2016 George Engel Award for outstanding research contributing to the theory, practice and teaching of effective healthcare communication from the Academy of Communication in Healthcare. 

    How Physicians Can Use Social Media

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2019 22:31


    Listen to "social media's leading physician voice" Kevin Pho, MD, founder of KevinMD discuss rules about using social media, the elevator rule, what to do if you've posted something you wished you didn't, what platforms are best for social media and where you should post personal info.

    Encouraging Patients to Participate in Shared Decision Making

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2019 24:58


    Clarence Braddock, MD, MPH, MACP, talks about Encouraging Patients to Participate in Shared Decision Making. He discusses his widely used framework for teaching and evaluating the quality of shared decision-making that saves time and lowers the likelihood of malpractice claims. He is the Vice Dean for Education at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, former Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Board of Internal Medicine and was a founding member of the Academy for Professionalism in Health Care. He is the author of DocCom Module 17 on Shared-Decision Making.

    Using a Chronological History of the Present Illness: Why It's So Important

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2019 22:12


    Kelley Skeff, MD, PhD, Co-Director of the Stanford Faculty Development Center for Medical Teachers, discusses why chronological history of present illness is so important, how chronological HPI impacts the clinician's time and the patients' insight into the evolution of their illness. 

    Tell Me More: Creating Opportunities for Communication

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2018 20:25


    Elizabeth Cleek, PsyD, Chief Program Officer & Vice President, and Pia Pyne Miller, MPH, CPO & VP, at the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, talk about Tell Me More: Creating Opportunities for Communication. Learn how to build rapport and connect with patients at the same time combating compassion fatigue.

    What Matters to You? Putting Patients' Goals First

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2018 20:49


    Damara Gutnick, MD, discusses the world-wide campaign to ask patients, "What Matters to You?" which saves clinicians time, reduces falls and has the potential to improve HEDIS measures. She is the medical director of the Montefiore Hudson Valley Collaborative and an associate professor of epidemiology and population health at the Einstein School of Medicine.

    Navigating Common Boundary Challenges

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2018 7:16


    Elizabeth Gaufberg, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, discusses guidelines when confronting challenging boundary issues. 

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