Can ordinary language undermine equity? Research has shown that health care providers can unintentionally contribute to health disparities. In this episode, we’ll take a look at the role that ordinary, everyday language can play in health disparities, and what you can do about it. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Recent research has shown how public health, medical care, […]
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4 ways to help resist a deficit perspective
Deficit perspectives are sneaky. Maybe the better word is ‘insidious.’ They can worm their way quietly into our work. And when there, they do real damage. Maybe you’ve heard the term. If not, it’s a tendency to maintain a focus on negative instances, examples, or qualities. Like seeing patients as passive recipients. Or centering on what […]
Heads up! Managing 3 key areas of concern in interprofessional communication
With the move to team-based care, and increased focus on population health, professionals who have not traditionally worked together are finding themselves around the same metaphoric or literal table. In this episode, you’ll learn about three levels of concern that can emerge during interprofessional communication – and what you can do to manage them. EPISODE […]
How individual providers can help address health disparities
Addressing health disparities can seem overwhelming, especially at a time when health professionals are already under immense demands–and pressures to be almost superhuman. Yet often, the providers I talk to espouse values of equity and justice. National Minority Health Month draws attention to how Americans have experienced variable access to care based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic […]
5 quick wins for your patient communication
Patient communication can feel like a marathon. It’s certainly a complex set of endeavors. Sometimes, you just need a quick win. In this episode, you’ll learn 5 quick wins that will help boost your patient communication efforts. They’re speedy, they’re right here, and they’re all grounded in a commitment to reducing health disparities. Mark, set, […]
Learn two steps to help improve your health communication
“I was listening for the pain. I kept listening for the pain.” This was what a physician said during our debriefing after a role-play. She was the ‘attending,’ another physician played the ‘patient,’ and I was the observer. The role-play was a brief initial patient consultation. During the debrief, we were focused on communication. The […]