Healthcare Communication: Effective Techniques for Clinicians

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. 

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. 

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."

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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." 

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

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