Communication Skills

Directive Communication Style

Dominant style where one person (PCP) takes charge and the other (patient) receives direction with little opportunity to give feedback

Following communication style

listening predominates

Guiding communication style

Combination of directive and following communication styles

Patient-centered care

Partnering with a patient to be an effective provider, guiding them to improve their health

Precepts of Patient-centered care

Asking, listening, informing

How should a provider open an approach to any topic with a patient?

by asking "Do you mind if we discuss..."

How soon into a discussion do providers usually interrupt their patients?

by 14-23 seconds in

How long does it usually take for a patient to say what they need to say?

90 seconds

Active listening

Empathic listening in which the listener echoes, restates, and clarifies

Tools for patient-centered care

Open ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, summarization

reflective listening

Listening to the client and then repeating, in your own words, what you think the client is telling you.