10 minutes to better patient communication by Health Communication Partners
Last Updated: March 30, 2026
This podcast gives health professionals tools and information to improve patient communication and education. Today, with your next patient or client. I take a communication or education issue that professionals have raised, dig into it with some research, then give you a strategy you can use in your practice right away. And I do it all in about 10 minutes. Complete show transcripts, archive and notes at healthcommunicationpartners.com
5 Steps to help teams get unstuck
One of the best things about working as a consultant is the variety of projects I get to be involved in. This episode is about what actually happens when I’m brought in to help a team. I’m going to share five moves that I make that might be helpful to you and your team. Hi, […]
15 prompts about listening
Listening can be more complicated than it seems at first. And apparently you know this already, because I had such nice response to our most recent episode talking about listening. So I wanted to follow it up today with some prompts to help you reflect on your listening, so you could take the next step […]
Taking a moment to (re)consider why listening is essential to professional practice
How we listen, and think about listening, can help us be better at what we do I’ve had a few requests lately for more resources on listening. Now, you already know how to listen well, so what I’ll share today can help you use your listening to make more confident decisions in messy, unpredictable, real-world […]
A quick refresher for everyday empathy
Is it possible to develop strategies to be a better empathizer? Dr. Esther Ra is co-hosting with me today, and we’re talking about empathy. Dr. Ra will share a glimpse at some of the research on empathy in health care, some interesting statistics, and a quick refresher for you. It could be handy right before […]
Our Learning Library is Open!
Hi, everybody. I am going to skip the usual introduction today. This is a mini episode because I get to talk about the opening of our library. Our Learning Library is finally done. It’s been a long time coming, y ‘all, like eight and a half years worth of work. And many of you have […]
Working with numbers in Shared Decision-Making
Shared decision-making is a common clinical goal, and numeracy is one mechanism that makes it work. What I’m sharing in this episode might help you feel less anxious about all of the above, and maybe even listen a little differently to your next patient. Hi, everybody, this is 10 minutes to better patient communication from […]
Meet our first contributor, Dr. Esther Ra
Welcome to a new year, and a new chapter for the show. We’re starting a new collaboration and I couldn’t be happier about it. I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Esther Ra to the show, as a new voice contributing her expertise on communication across professions and across the world. Hi, everybody. This is 10 Minutes […]
Talking with patients about randomization
In a recent conversation about patient numeracy, and talking about numbers, a related question surfaced, and I thought it was worth exploring for its own episode: talking about randomness and randomization with patients. Hi, everybody. This is 10 Minutes to Better Patient Communication from Health Communication Partners. Since 2017, we’ve been giving you inspiration and […]
Dr. Tim Gilligan on how the system gets in the way of patient care, Part 2
In Part 1 of my conversation with Dr. Tim Gilligan, Dr. Gilligan talked about some of the systemic issues that separate patients from providers and make communication difficult in health care. In Part 2, you’ll hear how communication helps Dr. Gilligan manage some of these systemic obstacles. Hi, everybody. This is 10 Minutes to Better […]
Dr. Tim Gilligan on how the system gets in the way of patient care, Part 1
Today I get to talk to Dr. Tim Gilligan. He’s the President of the Academy of Communication in Healthcare and an oncologist at Cleveland Clinic. And Dr. Gilligan gets right into how systems-level issues in health care actively push providers away from patients. He talks about how this can lead, sometimes directly, to worse patient […]
“How do we talk about numbers?”
Today, I want to try to answer a question I got asked a week ago: “How do we talk about numbers with our patients?” It’s a big question, and I’m so happy to dig into it with you today. What I’m going to share I hope can inform how you’re already talking about numbers, maybe […]
A health literacy check-in before your next conversation
We’re celebrating our 8th anniversary, and health literacy month! Here’s some of our most popular health literacy advice, condensed into a 6-item checklist for health professionals, to support health literacy and patient-centered communication. It’s health literacy month, and it’s the 8th anniversary of this podcast series! I always like celebrating our anniversary and health literacy […]
Lakshmi Grama on how people affected by cancer helped shape Cancer.gov’s Clinical Trials Information (Part 2)
In Part 2 of my interview with Lakshmi Grama, we find out what happened when the NCI team involved people affected by cancer in naming a new part of the cancer.gov website. Lakshmi also reveals how NCI was already exploring the possibilities of generative AI for precision communication about cancer. Missed Part 1 of our […]
Lakshmi Grama on how people affected by cancer helped shape Cancer.gov's Clinical Trials Information (Part 1)
Today I get to talk with Lakshmi Grama, former Associate Director for Dissemination and Digital Communications at the National Cancer Institute. She shares stories of early days at NCI, bringing everyone to the table, and power dynamics in health information. Communication about clinical trials is a very specialized part of health communication, but stories from […]
Two episodes, Top 5%, and a lot to process
We didn’t expect this. You might not have either. Turns out, trust is resonating. Our last two episodes both landed in the Top 5% of downloads of all podcasts worldwide. Before we move forward, let’s sit with this. Hi everybody and hi to our new listeners. Our last two episodes made quite a splash so […]
Dr. Renata Schiavo on the science of trust, Part 2
In Part 2 of our conversation, Dr. Renata Schiavo digs into the science of trust and explains what her research has found about the dimensions of trust, and the drivers of trust. You’ll want to take notes! Check out the links to the research in our notes below. Trust. It’s such a complex phenomenon. It […]
Dr. Renata Schiavo on the science of trust, Part 1
Dr. Renata Schiavo, Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Communication in Healthcare, shares her research into trust and trustworthiness. I'm so glad to have back to the show Dr. Renata Schiavo, a public health leader, Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Communication in Healthcare. Dr. Schiavo talks about some of the most pressing concerns in health communication: […]
Reflecting on trust and trustworthiness
Is trust and communication on your mind? Here’s two things you can do today to strengthen trust in your own communication. A major concern for public health professionals is that political polarization can fuel distrust in health and science information, making it harder to combat misinformation and promote evidence-based practices. In today’s episode, we take […]
Dr. Ayo Olagoke on using AI in health communication
Solving complex problems with limited time is the daily reality for many of us. Today, Dr. Ayo Olagoke joins us to explore how AI can make that a little easier in the world of health communication. Are you tackling big problems but are shy on time and resources? Thought so. So you’ll want to listen […]
6 ChatGPT prompts for patient communication
Quick ways to up your game in patient communication. I’ve done the prompt design work for you! Have you been using chat GPT? Yeah, me too. So in today’s episode, I’m going to share six chat GPT prompts you can use to improve your patient communication. Hi, everybody. This is 10 Minutes to Better Patient […]
Joel Helbling on building strong teams through feedback
My guest today is Joel Helbling from Test Double, a fully remote software consultancy. While Joel doesn't work in the health sector, I hope you find his insights into team communication, feedback, and change are relevant. Joel shares how his team stays connected and effective without the benefit of in-person interaction, through intentional communication, feedback, […]
Inspiration for communicating across difference
Communicating across our differences is difficult, but necessary, in today’s highly polarized environment. I share real life examples, and advice from a language expert, as encouragement for talking to someone you disagree with. Communicating with people that we disagree with has never been easy, but today I’m arguing it’s pretty necessary. So I’m going to share […]
“We’re collaborators, but we want to win.” Managing competition in collaborations
Competition and collaboration are sometimes thought of as opposites. I’ll share one thing people can do to help collaborations go better even when there’s competitors in the room. Collaborations have always been popular, but it’s possible today they’re getting more common and that the stakes may be getting higher. So in today’s episode, I’m gonna […]
Dr. Saria Saccocio shares 2 steps to find your way out of chaos
Today’s chaotic environment can leave us feeling unmoored and lost. Dr. Saria Saccocio explains 2 steps she’s using these days to manage the chaos, and reclaim some power. In today’s episode, Dr. Saria Sacocho returns to the show and offers some incredibly timely advice on getting yourself out of chaos. Hi everybody, this is “10 […]
Joe Liebel on Emotional Intelligence and workplace communication
It’s our 200th episode! Today you’ll hear a familiar voice tell a story about how emotional intelligence helped communication in the workplace. Today’s episode is our 200th episode! And today you’ll be hearing about emotional intelligence in the workplace from someone I think you’ve heard before. Hi, everybody. This is 10 Minutes to Better Patient […]
Dr. Renata Schiavo on community-driven approaches to communication
Dr. Schiavo shares powerful stories about communication’s role in community engagement and pursuing health equity. We’re shining a light on public health and the value of the work done by public health professionals. Today you’ll hear from Dr. Renata Schiavo, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Communication in Healthcare. Hi everybody, this is 10 Minutes to […]
Does your workflow need work? Make this your first step
Hear the story of a complicated workflow improvement case, and learn what you can do to help your own workflow…flow more smoothly. Is something in your workflow not working? I’ll help you get the workflow improvement process off on the right foot in today’s episode. Hi everybody! This is 10 Minutes to Better Patient Communication, […]
Don’t make these 7 Quality Improvement mistakes
Learn about 7 common QI trip hazards, and how you can avoid them. Now, I don’t typically start conversations with negatives, but sometimes when I talk with clients, especially super focused go -getters, they’ll ask me right out the gate, "Tell us what we’re getting wrong so we can fix it!" This episode’s for you, […]
4 stories to tell in an interview
Interviews or evaluations are tough, but storytelling helps. Here’s how to use the SWOT matrix to help you prepare 4 stories you can use to answer common interview questions. This is an episode that I was planning for later in the year, but I’m doing it now because of all of the government employees who […]
One lesson our phones can teach us about communication
A close look at some of the ways we use our phones to communicate can teach us how to improve our communication in general. Need a break from the news? Today, I’m going to ask you to think about your phone. If you care about communication, and I think you do, considering the ways we […]
“If communication isn’t part of your quality improvement, it should be.”
Learn 20 different ways communication can help in QI. In 10 minutes! Whether you’re in healthcare, public health, industry, or academia, quality improvement is part of your professional picture in one form or another. If you want to reach your quality improvement goals, I’ve got good news. Communication can be your secret advantage. More good […]
Handling interpersonal conflict
Conflict happens. Learn the 4 parts of any conflict, and some questions and phrases you can use to help you handle interpersonal conflict in communication. When we’re in a conversation, we want things to go smoothly. We want the relationship between us and the other person to work. But conflict happens, and that’s what today’s […]
Why focus on communication?
We start the year by grounding ourselves. Why are we here? What are we doing? Why are we doing it this way? And I give one suggestion to guide your work in communication this year. The start of a new year is a good time to think big picture, so we’re asking big questions. Why […]
The Top 5 Episodes of 2024
Year end countdown time! Here’s our Top 5 Most Popular Episodes from 2024, as determined by you! Here we are! It’s the end of the year, and what I get to do now is count down for you the top five episodes as judged by you, this year 2024, from health communication partners. Hi everybody, […]
A quick exercise to help your shared decision-making
Improve your shared decision-making (SDM), no matter how you do it. Just like it says on the label, today’s episode is a quick exercise to help you improve your shared decision-making, no matter how you do shared decision-making. Hi everybody, I'm Dr. Anne Marie Liebel, and this is 10 Minutes to Better Patient Communication from […]
How to make meetings more inclusive
Here’s three questions to help you look analytically at some communication patterns in your organization’s meetings. When meetings can value and accommodate diverse voices, that’s a big step toward creating an inclusive environment. At work, many of us have the responsibility to collaborate and innovate, and we’d like to be more inclusive in these processes. […]
“You want that patient to be a partner.” Dr. Paul Ranelli on patient communication
Whether you’re a patient or a health care worker, learn how to encourage partnership through communication, thanks to Pharmacist Dr. Paul Ranelli. This is one of the many interviews you can find in our archives! Check them out at h-cpartners.com/podcasts. Partnering with patients. It’s a phrase we’ve all heard before, and it might sound like some […]
How health literacy can help your patient relationships
It’s our show’s 7th anniversary! Hear a story about a literacy trailblazer, and learn 3 steps you can take to improve patient relationships. It’s our series anniversary! Yes, 10 Minutes to Better Patient Communication has been on the air for seven years! Oh my gosh! In today’s episode we’re gonna go back to where it started–with […]
Jessica Halem on communicating with LGBTQ+ patients Part 2
In Part 2 of my interview with Jessica Halem, MBA, Jessica shares useful phrases and encouragement for the next time you’re speaking with LGBTQ+ patients. Jessica Halem has spent the past 25 years working in LGBTQ health. First as the executive director of the Lesbian Community Cancer Project in Chicago, to serving on the Board […]
Jessica Halem on communicating with LGBTQ+ patients Part 1
I get to talk–and laugh, a lot–with Jessica Halem, MBA. We discuss communication with LGBTQ+ patients, improv, and her fancy article in the New England Journal of Medicine. Her insights are as powerful as her joy. You are in for a treat. Jessica Halem is a health communication expert who specializes in communicating with LGBTQ+ […]
4 ways to refresh your ‘get vaxxed’ message for the fall COVID season
Fall fashion is the best fashion. But there’s another seasonal trend none of us wants to participate in. COVID was in the news again, as the fall transmission season started earlier than anticipated. Here’s some tips and encouragement for you when talking with people about getting vaxxed or boosted, again. The fall COVID season arrived […]
“What are we doing to be trustworthy?”
Tips on what not to say when you’re thinking about trust. Trust in health care and public health captured a lot of attention during the pandemic, and it’s still going strong. When it comes to communication and patient education, there are things we can do related to trust, and I’m going to share a few […]
How do we sustain equity work over the long term?
Organizations are considering how they can sustain equity work over the long term. I’m excited about today’s episode because it’s the 7th Anniversary of Health Communication Partners. And I get to talk to you about a trend I’ve seen and been a part of with organizations pursuing equity and health equity goals. I wonder if […]
Finally, an episode about listening
It’s our long-overdue episode devoted to listening. I read from Professor Katherine Schultz’s book on listening, and we do a quick exercise to help you think about improving your listening. Maybe you are working on trying to reduce avoidable health inequalities. Or maybe you want to try to promote a more welcoming work environment. Or […]
Amanpreet Kaur on managing impostor syndrome as a health professional
Medical Librarian Amanpreet Kaur talks about having imposter syndrome, what it feels like to be “in a rabbit hole of learning,” and how she’s leaning into her impostor syndrome as a health professional. How many letters do I need behind my name? That rhetorical question was put out to me from Medical Librarian Amanpreet Kaur. […]
Being more patient-centered in your patient education
Want to be more patient-centered in your patient education? Hear about one common challenge to patient-centeredness, and how to handle it. I recently had a client ask me for help with being more patient-centered in general. And one of the challenges they were facing is one I’ve seen a lot, and I’ve definitely faced it […]
“How do I talk to you?” Three ways to strengthen your patient communication
A nurse educator shared a question that was on her students’ minds as they approached patients: “How do I talk to you?” Learn three ways to improve your patient communication. How do I talk to you? A question like that is probably on a lot of our minds when we’re going into an important conversation. […]
How reflective practice can help you improve your communication
Learn how reflective practice can help you improve your communication. Hear six examples of reflective practice on patient communication, along with something you can do today, to improve your communication. You’re already good at patient communication. I know that because you’re listening to this show! So today’s episode is about how reflective practice can help […]
Dr. Ashley Love on communication about mental health in AANHPI communities
Dr. Ashley Love returns to the show to talk about her experiences with mental health and communication in AANHPI communities. She shares powerful stories about the importance of culture and context in communication, the heterogeneity in the broad AANHPI classification, how AI can help make communication easier, and when she realized clients’ complaints about a […]
Dr. Jonas Attilus on the benefits of taking a learner’s role during patient interactions
Psychiatry Resident Dr. Jonas Attilus returns to the show to tell us why and how he takes the role of a learner during his interactions with patients, and how this helps him to give compassionate care. May is Mental Health Awareness month, and today we get to hear from Psychiatry Resident and friend of the […]
Reflecting on the connections between health disparities and communication
National Minority Health Month is an opportunity to reflect on the connections between health disparities and communication. It’s essential to lean on research and outside expertise when communicating. But I share what might be an unpopular opinion about the role of expert recommendations in our communication efforts. It’s National Minority Health Month, so we’re going […]
Previewing a free maternal health course from OMH
I preview a free maternal health course from the Office of Minority Health, and give you tips on how to get the most out of this great resource. April is National Minority Health Month, so we’re diving into a resource from the Office of Minority Health about maternal health care. I preview this free resource […]
Dr. Taquina Davis on understanding the impact of religious beliefs on patients’ decision-making
We’re celebrating Women’s History Month with 3 interviews with women from across the health sector. Today I sit down with Dr. Taquina Davis as she shares research and a personal story about understanding the impact of religious beliefs on patients’ decision-making. March is Women’s History Month, and to celebrate, we’re bringing you 3 interviews with […]
Dr. Ann Ancona on encouraging critical thinking in health professions students
We’re celebrating Women’s History Month with interviews from women across the health sector. In today’s episode, Dr. Ann Ancona from Kent State University College of Nursing tells you how she encourages her nursing students to think critically about patient care and communication. March is Women’s History Month. To celebrate, we’re bringing you 3 interviews with […]
Dr. Erin Basinger & Dr. Margaret Quinlan on Anti-fat bias in reproductive health
Today’s episode is about anti-fat bias in the reproductive health context. I talk with two researchers, Dr. Erin Basinger and Dr. Margaret Quinlan, about anti-fat bias as a life-or-death problem in patient communication. They also generously share a fantastic list of resources that I link to in the transcript below. Dr. Erin Basinger is Associate […]
What HCP can do for you, Part 2
Our live event is just around the corner! It’s just one of many ways HCP can take things off your plate. Because you’re listening to this show, chances are you’re also working on some of the most deep-seated and persistent problems facing society today. I talk with my colleague, India Menon, about what it means […]
What HCP can do for you, Part 1
An HCP team member joins Dr. Liebel on mic for the first time to share some of the many ways HCP can help you and your organization. We also announce our first ever live event! There’s a first time for everything, and today’s episode is the first time for two different things. I get to […]
Dr. Bradley Block on efficiency in patient communication
In today’s episode, I talk about time with otolaryngologist and podcast host, Dr. Bradley Block. He shares some of what he’s learned about efficiency in patient communication. Time. It’s the ultimate constraint on any interaction. In today’s episode, I talk with otolaryngologist and podcast host, Dr. Bradley Block. He shares some of what he’s learned […]
4 hopeful communication trends
Happy New Year! Here are 4 reasons to be hopeful if you care about communication. Got a minute? Tell us what you think of this series (anonymously). We’re starting 2024 with some good news. Today’s episode is about four trends I’ve been noticing in the communication circles that I run in that I think are […]
Your top communication question, answered
I share the most common question I get asked as a communication expert. I tell you how I answer, and break down why it works. No matter what your role is as a health professional, what your specialty or topic is, or who your audience is, this episode is about the single best piece of […]
We had over 10,000 downloads in one day!
10 Minutes to Better Patient Communication recently had more than 10 ,000 downloads in a single day. I can’t wait to tell you all about it! This is amazing. This is wild. This exceeds the realm of the normal for me. I am still in awe. And when extraordinary things happen, I think it’s okay […]
Mitigating bias in patient education
Welcome to our new listeners! Here’s some steps you can take today if you’re concerned about how bias can show up in patient education–beyond individual-level biases. If you’re working hard on patient education, I see you. This episode’s for you. In this episode, I offer some steps you can take today to level up a […]
“Women, Power, and Cancer” and communication
I look at a recent report from a Lancet Commission on Women, Power, and cancer, and consider where communication comes into it. I finish with something you can do if you’re thinking about power in your communication. Today’s episode is about communication and power. We’re looking at a recent report from a Lancet Commission on […]
11 Updated health literacy tips
Today I open a health literacy time capsule, and talk about what’s changed. 6 years ago I gave you 11 health literacy tips. Which are outdated? Which stand the test of time? What do I wish I’d said? Find out! It’s health literacy month and our 6th anniversary as a podcast series. So I'm combining […]
4 health equity topics we’re following
What are your health equity plans? Get some inspiration with 4 health equity topics that are priorities at HCP. It’s our 6th anniversary and we are taking this opportunity to do a little looking back and a little looking forward. I don’t know what your Health Equity plans are, but if you need some inspiration, […]
How to shift out of a deficit model on patients
There’s a difference between identifying someone’s needs, and regarding the person as being deficient. In this episode, you’ll learn about how common deficit models are in health care some of the damage they can do two things you can do to turn away from a deficit perspective. Do you know what a deficit perspective is? […]
Dr. Raj Sundar on considering cultural context during patient communication, Part 2
In Part 2 of our interview, Dr. Sundar explains that reflecting on his communication has changed his perspective on caring for people–and made him a better clinician. (ICYMI here’s Part 1 of this interview.) Today is Part 2 of my interview with Dr. Raj Sundar about how he enacts his commitment to improving his communication […]
Dr. Raj Sundar on considering cultural context during patient communication, Part 1
Physician and podcast host Dr. Raj Sundar talks with me about his efforts to improve his practice by considering cultural context during patient communication. Today's episode is about communicating across cultural difference. I get to sit down with family physician Dr. Raj Sundar who has a special interest in getting better at communicating with patients […]
The stories behind our courses
It’s Health Communication Partners’ 6th Anniversary! The biggest event in HCP’s history has been the launching of our hybrid courses. Sit back and listen to the stories behind them. It's the middle of a sunny morning in the Fall. I'm on the phone in the kitchen. Pacing. Back and forth and back and forth in […]
How to reduce cultural bias in medical metaphors
Metaphors and analogies are powerful language tools. But they’re often culturally specific. Here’s one way to think about your metaphors–and some topics to avoid. Metaphors and analogies are powerful language tools. They're important to the way we speak and think. And medical and public health professionals use them all the time. So what’s the problem? […]
Dr. Doron Dorfman on “Fear of the disability con”
For Disability Pride Month, I talk with disability law Professor Doron Dorfman about the phenomenon “fear of the disability con” and what it has to do with patient communication. It's Disability Pride Month. Today I talk with Professor Doron Dorfman who specializes in disability law. Dr. Dorfman tells me about the widspread fear that disabled […]
Looking at patient education through an equity lens
What does it mean to look at patient education through an equity lens? Learn why this is a good idea, and how you can do it. Today I'm going to talk about taking an equity lens on the patient education process: what it is, why it’s a good idea, and how you can do it. […]
Samantha Cinnick on what groups can achieve when old communication habits are broken
Inteprofessional groups have their own communication dynamics. Is it possible changing things up, and trying new communication patterns, can help groups progress? In Part 4 of our 4-part series on communication in public health, Samantha Cinnick of HRSA tells a story about the power of questions, and silence. And stay tuned – our next episode […]
Looking at communication with equity lenses
Everyone has equity goals we’re trying to reach, often as part of our regular jobs. Here’s one way to advance on our health equity goals: by looking at communication with equity lenses. Everyone has equity goals we’re trying to reach, often as part of our regular jobs. In this episode I offer some help, maybe […]
Samantha Cinnick and how one important question can change the conversation
In Part 3 of our 4-part miniseries on communication in public health, Samantha Cinnick from the Health Resources and Services Administration tells her story of shifting a negative narrative with an important question. Welcome to Part 3 of our 4-part series on communication in public health. This one is really about the power of questions, […]
1 question to ask when you’re using equity lenses
It’s great that ‘equity lenses’ is a concept that’s made it into wider use. Here’s one important question I'm going to suggest you keep in mind if you decide to put on equity lenses. There's a phrase I’m seeing crop up more and more in equity and health equity conversations, and it's "equity lenses" or […]
Samantha Cinnick on communication in a new collaboration
Collaboration brings its own communication challenges. Hear Samantha Cinnick tell the story of the launch of a new Innovation Lab, and what was learned about communication in that collaborative space. In part 2 of our 4 part series on communication in public health, Samantha Cinnick from Health Resources and Services Administration tells the story about […]
5 reasons why communication should be part of any health equity strategy
When it comes to health equity, everybody knows where they need to be, and wants to take action. But how? Here’s 5 reasons why communication should be part of any health equity strategy. Hello Partners, welcome! If you're a manager or an administrator who's tasked with moving the needle on health equity, or if you're […]
Samantha Cinnick on communication and interpersonal leadership
In Part 1 of a 4 part miniseries, Samantha Cinnick of the Health Resources and Services Administration talks about some of the communication challenges involved when people collaborate to bring about systems change. What she shares can be helpful for anyone who wants to communicate better with their colleagues. Today I kick off a 4 […]
"Everyone cares about health equity but we don’t always know what to do next"
This episode is about moving from talk about health equity to action on health equity. Hear about common challenges in doing health equity work. And we announce a new miniseries dedicated to communication in public health. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Today's episode is about moving from talk about health equity to action on health equity. You'll learn […]
An opening reflection for meetings in healthcare
Starting a meeting with a reflection is a powerfully humanizing move. In this episode, I share a short passage about communication that would be appropriate to open any meeting, for any audience. It invites us to see connections between words and thoughts, and consider their impact on our relationships and world. The idea for this […]
Why one-time courses don’t make change
Everyone I meet in health care and public health wants to do well at their job, and move the needle on health equity. The problem is that when it comes to professional development, too often stand-alone, one-time courses are all people get. Here’s why they don’t work at making change. As an educator, one of […]
Context matters to patient communication in more ways than one
Large sets of quantitative data are irreplacable resources in medicine and public health. But there are many important questions large data sets weren’t designed to answer, questions where on-the-ground research is needed. In this episode, I sample some crucial contributions ethnography has made to what we know about the influence of context on thinking, communication, […]
Melina Ortigas on making screenings more accessible
Patient screenings are widely used in medicine and public health. A public health program administrator in California shares what she and her colleagues are learning from taking a close look at screenings. Screenings for patients are important tools. They're ubiquitous in medicine and public health. But they're not without their challenges, for professionals and for […]
How the Surgeon General’s “Framework for Mental Health & Well-Being in the Workplace” breaks with tradition
I take a close look at The Surgeon General’s Framework for Mental Health & Well-Being in the Workplace and see that it’s not what we’re used to…and that’s a good thing. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT In October of 2022, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, released Framework for Mental Health & Well-Being in the Workplace. In […]
4 reasons to feel good about health literacy
Health literacy is still going strong as a field, and continues to be at the center of many policies and practices. Here’s four sometimes-overlooked reasons to feel good about health literacy. TRANSCRIPT Health literacy is not going away! In this episode, I'll talk about several reasons to be happy about the patient safety and quality […]
HCP’s Top 10 most downloaded episodes of 2022
It’s the countdown time of year! Here’s our Top 10 most downloaded episodes of “10 Minutes to Better Patient Communication” from 2022. You’re reflective. You get how much communication is connected to equity. You get how the ways we educate are connected to equity. You’re the best audience there is! You’re the rockstars. And here […]
Dr. Paul Ranelli and using the arts to explore rare diseases
It’s a paradox that rare diseases are not so rare; one in ten people has a rare disease. Yet each rare disease, and each person’s experience with a rare disease, is different. This makes for complex communication with family and health professionals. Hear how Dr. Paul Ranelli uses the arts to delve into the complexities […]
Health literacy isn’t only about medical language
A few health professionals recently shared stories of pushback from colleagues regarding health literacy. Learn how you can respond to the next person who believes health literacy is just about medical terms. In this episode, I take up a problem expressed recently by a few health professionals who were frustrated by some pushback they were […]
“10 Minutes” is 5!
Every 2 weeks for 5 years, “10 Minutes to Better Patient Communication” has been bringing you new avenues into health communication, patient education and health literacy. Find out how one physician answered the question “what is health literacy,” and hear the new sound we got for our birthday! Happy Birthday, “10 Minutes!” For 5 years, […]
Busting some literacy myths: Literacy is a skill
If you care about health literacy, in this episode you’ll learn why busting the myth that literacy is a skill can help you in your work–and what you can do instead. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT It's health literacy month again, so here's another look at some literacy myths. If you care about health literacy, I'll tell you […]
Addressing health equity is "the important topic of our times"
What is the past–and future–of health equity research, theory, practice, and policy? Comments from an oncologist kick off some thinking. I recently had an interesting conversation with an oncologist about health equity and communication. It got me going back and forth in time. I want to share some of what we talked about, in hopes […]
A love letter to everyone who talks with patients
I’ve been reflecting on the stories different people have shared with me about talking with patients. Whether from hospital staff, community health workers, or medical staff, these stories have important things in common. This is some of what I appreciate about you and the complexity of the work you do. So many people now are […]
Why we should take seriously the differences between “pee-pee” and “urine”
No, really. There are important differences between the terms “pee-pee” and “urine.” Here’s what they are, and why anyone who cares about patient communication and education should take these differences seriously. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Aww shucks. It's happened. I got COVID. And the timing! Last episode we made our big announcement, our new course platform and […]
Introducing our new communication course for all patient-facing employees
We have two big announcements: our brand new, dedicated course platform, and a new communication course for anyone who interacts with patients. Learn more about them both! Today’s the day. For months I've been saying we have a big announcement to make, and today I finally get to share it with you. Really excited about […]
That time when Dr. Jonas Attilus visited our show
Dr. Jonas Attilus was recently featured in a STAT News article. Dr. Attilus visited our show last year and talked about humility and power when physicians speak with patients. Hear about the article, and listen to his interview. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT At the start of 2021, we aired my interview with Dr. Jonas Attilus about humility […]
This HHS course on Maternal Health is the resource we need now
If Women’s Health is on your mind, you’ll want to take this free online course from U.S. Department of Health & Human Services called "Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Maternal Health Care." I preview it, and show you a cool design trick they embed to make it more accessible – and efficient. The […]
Why NYCHealth’s Language Use Guide is so good
The New York City Department of Health has a language use guide on its site. I preview it, and tell you 5 reasons why you should check it out. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT The NYC Department of Health has a language use guide on its site. A language use guide! From major health department! As a researcher […]
4 reasons to take the free CMS course on LGBTQ health
CMS has a free online course called "Improving Health Care Quality for LGBTQ People." Here’s 4 reasons you should take it! I'm grateful that there are so many resources out there if you care about health equity and communication. In honor of Pride month, I'm going to highlight one of them: a free online course […]
5 quick ways to improve patient communication
Improving patient communication is a marathon, not a sprint. But who doesn’t need a quick win now and again? In this episode, you’ll learn 5 quick ways to boost your patient communication efforts. EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Improving patient communication is a marathon, not a sprint. Sustained change takes time. Still, we all need something that we […]
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