Healthcare: How to listen so patients will talk and talk so patients will listen
The relationship between caregiver and patient - and the resulting healthcare - is hugely dependent on the communication skills of the caregiver. Good two-way communication isn't just nice to have; it's been shown to improve health outcomes. Patients who are anxious, stressed or angry can be difficult to work with and it takes a level of advanced communication skills to get these patients actively involved in their own healthcare.
Knowing how to help the patient explain their condition, openly and completely, being an empathic listener so that the patient feels calm and cared for, and explaining things clearly and checking you've been understood when it comes to treatment plans are all essential skills that we teach in our healthcare training.