It’s Thanksgiving time around here, and in that spirit, I want to share with you some health communication resources that I am thankful for this year. Some of these might be new to you. Some of these, perhaps you’ve heard of, but might not be using. And for the ones you are already using, I […]
Being mindful of your metaphors in medicine
The genetic program. The tree of life. A battle against cancer. These health-related metaphors have become so ubiquitous that they can slip past our notice. Metaphor has been recognized as one of the most important rhetorical devices of all time, ever since Aristotle treated it in his Art of rhetoric. Metaphors are as sophisticated as […]
3 communication tips for hotspotting teams
Have you heard of hotspotting? No, not those mobile internet connections. The health system near you is probably hotspotting, even if that’s not exactly what they call it. Hotspotting is the name of one approach to collecting claims data to identify and assist those individuals who frequently use health systems, but are poorly served by […]
3 Common patient communication roadblocks (and how to get past them)
I’ll get right down to business: You care about patient communication because you know what a difference it makes to the care you provide. The many health care professionals I’ve talked to over the years, like you, care about patient communication. And over time, I have heard some common problems, challenges, and requests when it […]
“We’re always, always being asked to do one more thing.”
Several months ago, I was talking to an oncologist about provider education. He told me about his usual experience with provider education at his organization, with an edge to his voice: “We are always, always being asked to do one more thing. Things added on. Little things…and it’s constant and it’s so frustrating.” This ‘one […]
Do you make these 6 mistakes in your cross-cultural communication?
The rise of non-communicable disease. The opioid epidemic. Widening health disparities. These complex health issues are also complex communication issues. As physicians, providers, public health professionals, medical educators, and patient advocates, you are communicating with people every day about difficult, emotionally-charged, and ‘taboo’ topics. And you are sometimes talking with people from different social and […]