Podcast Episode 35 – How to Effectively Communicate with ALL of Your Patients – Dr. Brad Block
Episode 35 – It’s common for us to talk to our patients and yet not be able to communicate effectively. If we can’t talk to someone in a way that helps them actually understand what we’re trying to say, we’re not effectively communicating with them. Dr. Brad Block has some great insights into how to effectively communicate with our patients.
- How do you know when it’s ok to tell a joke?
- What kind of non-verbal cues are you using to make your point?
- Is eye contact important?
- Maybe interrupting the patient isn’t always a bad thing?
As physicians, it’s incumbent on us to explain things to patients in ways that they understand. That involves understanding how their culture, background, socioeconomic status, marital status, sexual orientation, and ethnicity inform their worldview. It’s not as simple as just telling people what they need to know. In this podcast episode, you’ll learn some key tips to help you communicate with your patients more effectively so you can be in a better position to help them with their health care needs. If you want to really help your patients heal, your communication matters, and this episode will help you level up your communication game.
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“If you’re not an effective communicator, your patients may not trust you, and they won’t take your medical advice. So, if you don’t communicate well, you may actually be hurting your patients.”
– Dr. Brad Block
Free Resource: Creating a Personal Mission Statement
Meet Dr. Brad Block
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Show times
- 00:00 – Introduction to the episode
- 01:29 – Subscribe to the podcast, and please leave a review!
- 01:38 – Email me if you’re interested in getting one-on-one finance or career coaching.
- 02:38 – Introduction to Brad Block.
- 03:33 – Welcome to Dr. Brad Block and The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring Podcast
- 06:20 – Some physicians communicate incredibly well with their patients, and some physicians don’t communicate so well. It’s important to have some humility to be willing to admit that maybe you aren’t the effective communicator you think you are.
- 08:59 – Why is it so important that you be an effective communicator
- 10:36 – Being an effective communicator limits the likelihood that you’ll be sued.
- 11:54 – If you can communicate effectively, you will have patients who are brand ambassadors for you. That will help you grow your practice.
- 13:12 – How does Dr. Brad Block recommend establishing a level of formality with the patient? Whether you’re informal or formal, keep it equal!
- 16:16 – Sometimes, a patient may not know exactly why they’re there! Make sure that you help set the stage so that everyone knows why they are in the appointment room.
- 18:28 – What is the “question behind the question?” When they ask a question, what information are they actually looking for?
- 20:59 – If you can figure out the question behind the question, it builds tremendous trust with the patient.
- 21:38 – What about typing or writing notes while you’re talking to them?
- 25:27 – It’s our job as physicians to make sure patients understand everything that we’re coaching them on.
- 28:02 – Cultural barriers to communication can be significant! Pay attention to differences in culture that can affect communication. Cultural humility is very important!
- 31:18 – Dr. Brad Block and I swap stories about miscommunication. Sometimes it’s helpful to just be able to laugh.
- 35:49 – How does Dr. Brad Block approach a situation when someone has a family member that doesn’t let the patient do the talking?
- 38:36 – What are some nonverbal communication techniques that we can employ to enhance our communication with our patients?
- 42:15 – Being able to effectively and appropriately crack a joke can be a bit tricky. Dr. Brad Block recommends a couple of helpful hints to help us navigate that situation.
- 45:41 – Dr. Brad Block shares his parting advice.
- 47:37 – Summary of the episode
- 48:54 – This week’s free resource is a guide called “Creating a Personal Mission Statement.”
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Related posts:
career, communicate, communication, culture, dentist, physician, practice management
