A TALK ON COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DOCTORS AND PATIENTS
Fear speaks its own language.
On empathetic conversations where a doctor's knowledge meets a patient's fear.
A patient hears a diagnosis and receives information. Yet one question remains: what now? To help them understand their options, it helps to first hear what they are really afraid of.
We enter the conversation with fear, beliefs and things we have heard from others. Sometimes we do not ask because we are embarrassed by what we do not know. Sometimes we hide our choices because we fear judgement. Information can be accurate and still fail to reach the person who needs it.
I speak as a patient who also sought help outside conventional medicine. I describe how fear and the need for hope shaped my decisions. I explain why it helps to ask what persuaded someone to try a therapy and what they fear before trying to change their choice.
This talk explores conversations that allow room for doubt, clear explanations and checking what the patient has understood. It is about the trust that makes it possible to speak honestly about our choices, and respect for a person facing a difficult decision.
What will
participants take away?
- The fears and unspoken questions a patient may bring to a conversation.
- Why asking about the reason behind a choice helps more than a hasty judgement.
- How listening and clear language support an informed decision.
WHO IT IS FOR
Doctors, nurses, psychologists, patient organisations and people educating future healthcare professionals.
WHERE
Conferences, symposia and seminars on patient communication, trust and shared decision-making.
FORMAT
30 or 45 minutes, with an optional discussion. We adapt the focus to your event programme.
What would the patient like to say but has not said yet?
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