Professional Focus: Mastering Patient Communication is Vital for Every Healthcare Provider
Your medical expertise may diagnose and treat, but your communication skills are the bridge that gets patients from confusion to clarity — and from hesitation to action.
Effective patient conversations improves adherence, reduces anxiety, and lowers the risk of medical errors.
Ensure you observe the following:
1. Listen Actively — Wherever You Are
When your patient speaks, pause and listen keenly without rushing to the next question.
Give patients your full attention:
- in person- put away paperwork
- online- close other tabs and mute notifications.
Maintain steady eye contact:
- in person-look at their face.
- virtually-look at the camera so it feels like you’re looking at them.
Use small verbal nods (“I see”, “Go on”).
At the end of their explanation use short summaries to confirm what they said (“So your headache has lasted for three days, correct?”) and show you’re following.
Pay attention to non-verbal cues:
- in person-watch posture and expressions
- online-notice changes in voice tone or pauses.
Speak slightly slower in virtual consultations to account for audio lag.
Active listening assures patients that you value their story, encourages them to share more details, and improves diagnostic accuracy — regardless of the setting.
2. Avoid Medical Jargon & Simplify Without Losing Accuracy
Use plain, relatable language instead of heavy jargon: “Your blood pressure is high” rather than “You have hypertension.”
In virtual sessions, check understanding more often since you might miss subtle non-verbal cues.
Always be conscious to the patient's culture by using familiar and relatable examples to make concepts stick.
3. Use the Teach-Back Method
Ask patients to repeat back the plan in their own words.
In virtual care, have them hold medicine packets or equipment up to the camera and repeat back/demonstrate use to confirm understanding.
Re-explain using a different approach if they get it wrong.
4. Use Visual Aids — Your Silent Partner
In person: Draw quick sketches or show printed charts.
Online: Share your screen with test results or infographics, and send a follow-up image or PDF for reference.
For low literacy patients demonstrate physically where possible. (i.e. you can point an injection site for patients with diabetes)
5. Lead with Empathy, End with Respect
Acknowledge their concerns: “I can see this is worrying you — let’s go through it together.”
Use a warm tone in person or virtually, and thank them for their time and trust.
NOTE: Listening with intent and speaking with clarity turns information into action — and patients into partners in disease management.
