Marisa Schwartz, Senior regional medical director, discusses the importance of active listening in healthcare. Topics include uncovering critical conditions, building trust with patients, and enhancing patient experiences through attentive listening. The conversation also highlights the impact of follow-up in healthcare and the value of active listening for CX leaders in enhancing communication skills.
Active listening in healthcare is crucial for accurate diagnoses and building trust with patients.
Improving active listening skills requires self-awareness, intentional listening, empathy, and practice through scenarios.
Deep dives
The Importance of Active Listening in Healthcare Settings
Active listening in healthcare can lead to life-saving results. By paying attention to tone of voice, body language, and expressions, along with the spoken words, healthcare providers can support patients not just medically but as whole individuals, ensuring proper diagnosis and building trust through understanding their needs and concerns.
The Role of Communication in Patient Experience
Effective communication and active listening in healthcare are vital for understanding patients as whole individuals, leading to accurate diagnoses and building trust. Listening to patients attentively can uncover crucial details, such as symptoms that may lead to life-saving discoveries like identifying cancerous tumors. Trust between clinicians and patients is established through active listening, enabling patients to follow medical recommendations.
Developing Active Listening Skills for Healthcare Professionals
Improving active listening skills is essential for healthcare professionals, requiring self-awareness, intentional listening, and empathy. Developing communication skills like active listening is crucial for building trust with patients, especially in vulnerable situations. Practicing active listening through scenarios and self-assessment helps clinicians enhance patient care and ensure follow-up actions, contributing to a positive patient experience and better health outcomes.
What’s the first thing you think of when asked, “how well do you listen?” Many CX professionals might think of their listening systems: surveys, close-loop feedback, listening architectures. Some may say they interact with clients on a regular basis. But what about actively listening? Talking less and letting others express themselves, and then reassuring them that the conversation was worth it. Host Sara Walker welcomes Marisa Schwartz, senior regional medical director for St. Luke’s University Health Network, to discuss the importance of active listening.