It’s list time of year! And I love countdowns.
More than that, I want to save you time. So think of this as one handy place to have links to a bunch of episodes.
In reverse order, here are the Top 10* most downloaded episodes in 2018 from Health Communication Partners’ Podcast series, “10 Minutes to Better Patient Communication” (downloads include both on the HCP site and on iTunes).
And remember, each episode has a transcript with links to relevant research. Because I’m here for linking research to practice. Ho-ho-ho!
*well, 11 really.
#10 What are you trying to teach your patient?
When’s the last time you thought about your goals for educating a patient? Really and honestly?
As no-brainer as it may seem, you’d be surprised what you can gain from stopping and thinking about your patient education goals. Doing so can save you time and frustration. Listen to this, and get clarity. In about 10 minutes!
#9 Using microaggressions as a tool to address unconscious bias
We all want our words and actions to flow from our values. So it’s jarring to think we may be unintentionally contributing to health disparities through the way we talk.
In this episode, you’ll learn what microaggressions are, two specific types that sneak into our language, and three ways you can use microaggressions to think about your language.
#8 What does health literacy mean to you?
This has been so popular ever since it ran that I’m thinking of doing a sequel! Health literacy continues to be talked about. But what do we mean when we talk about it? Since I sometimes get to talk with physicians one-on-one, I decided to ask the next few physicians I encountered a simple question:
When you hear the phrase ‘health literacy,’ what does it mean to you?
What one physician–and a group of researchers–had to say may surprise you.
#7 Communication and the death of a pet
I’m so incredibly touched that this episode made the Top Ten list. I was genuinely surprised when I found out, partly because it’s so personal.
This is a love letter to anyone who cares about health communication, courtesy of my late cat Katie. Aka Kate the Great CommuniKater.
#6 One way to save time in patient education
There were some surprises in this Top Ten list; this wasn’t one of them. Anything that can save providers time is gonna get attention!
This episode is about not wasting time in your patient encounter when it comes to education. You’ll learn one way to save time when you’re educating patients, why it works, and how easy it is to do.
#5 Connect with patients who don’t talk like you do
This episode was in response to a flurry of social media activity around the so-called ‘word gap’ that exists between more educated and less educated parents. In this episode, you’ll learn what all the fuss is about over that gap.
More importantly, you’ll learn how it can work against your patient relationships without your noticing. And of course, 4 things you can do to improve communication with all patients. Even those who don’t talk like you do.
#4 Patient communication: Aristotle helps you break it down
This episode is from 2017 but it is still going strong! I was surprised at this, largely because it’s about a topic that sounds like it should get more eyerolls than clicks: classical rhetoric.
Then again, when you want to do better with your spoken communication, who better to turn to than the Ancient Greeks? In this episode, you’ll learn the 5 elements of any oral communication. Plus, a valuable lesson from that annoying news anchor you can’t stand. And I end with a quick way to break down your own spoken communication.
Want it in an handy infographic? Here ya go!
#3 12 reflective practice prompts for health professionals
I’m thrilled this episode still draws attention. Reflective practice is core to the way I work. And it’s a term that conjures bad homework assignments that you totally completed near midnight on the day they were due.
It doesn’t have to be that way. Here are 12 ways to get yourself thinking…that won’t bore you to tears. And you might even learn something about yourself, your context, your patients, or your practice.
#2 There’s a tie.
No, I’m not making this up. And they’re equally weighty topics. You made it very clear to me that you are not afraid of jumping into the deep end.
#2a “I can’t follow my patient home”
There are certain episodes that, when I record them, I think: ‘Oh yeah! People are gonna love this.’ This was not one of those episodes.
In this episode, I talk about the relationships between context and our language, thinking, and health. Pretty dense stuff. I suggest why it’s important to take context into account. And I end with one simple question you can ask your next patient that can elicit clinically or culturally important information.
#2b Providers, your language may have more power than you realize (revisited)
About this time a year ago, a woman with cancer allowed me to interview her about her thoughts on her condition, and her communication with her provider. I included some of her thoughts in a podcast near the start of this year.
This past summer, she died. I wanted people to hear her thoughts again. I recorded a new opening, telling more of her story. And then I ran the earlier podcast. I haven’t been able to listen to her voice on those interview recordings since then, but I promise I will.
#1 10 different ways to organize a complex idea
There is no way I would have guessed this would be #1. I wouldn’t have even guessed it’d make the Top Ten. But here it is! Perhaps it’s because you have so much complexity to deal with on a daily basis?
When it comes to educating people, we all can get stuck in a rut sometimes. In this episode, you’ll learn 10 different ways you can break down a complex idea. So you can have different approaches for different patients. Because people learn differently!
Want these 10 different ways in an infographic? Here you are, in the flashiest of flashes!
I’m entirely grateful to you for sharing these episodes all year (by the thousands! Whoa). And please let me know what you’d like to see in a future episode! Just fill in the form below.
Happy Holidays,
Anne Marie
