What are the dos and don'ts of effective health communication?

Dos and Don'ts of Effective Health Communication

Effective health communication requires establishing clear expectations, using patient-centered approaches, and employing specific communication techniques that improve health outcomes. 1

Core Communication Principles

DO:

• Allow patients to speak without interruption - Patients typically express about 3 concerns per visit and only take an average of 32 seconds to complete their thoughts when uninterrupted 1
• Ask "what else?" after a patient shares concerns to ensure all issues are addressed 1
• Review patient information before conversations and establish clear goals for the interaction 1
• Set clear expectations about electronic communication policies and discuss potential advantages and pitfalls with patients 1
• Demonstrate positive behaviors including being focused, reflective, curious, and tolerant of silence during consultations 1
• Use multiple formats for patient education (pamphlets, online programs, community events, group sessions) to accommodate different learning styles and cultural backgrounds 1
• Consider health literacy levels when communicating, as approximately one-third of adults in the US have limited health literacy 1

DON'T:

• Interrupt patients prematurely - Clinicians typically interrupt patients after only 18 seconds, often redirecting to the first concern mentioned 1
• Assume education level predicts health literacy - Even highly educated individuals may struggle with processing health information 1
• Focus solely on information exchange without addressing rapport-building and emotional aspects of communication 2
• Use technical jargon that patients may not understand, especially with those who have limited health literacy 1

Electronic Communication Best Practices

DO:

• Establish mutual understanding with patients about how and when electronic communication will be used 1
• Provide clear next steps in electronic messages to improve patient satisfaction 1
• Use secure messaging platforms rather than unsecured email for patient communications 1
• Recognize that electronic communication can be effective for helping patients with disease management 1

DON'T:

• Rely solely on electronic communication for complex or sensitive discussions that would benefit from face-to-face interaction 1
• Neglect to address patient concerns comprehensively in electronic messages 1
• Overlook the potential for miscommunication due to the absence of nonverbal cues in electronic formats 1

Risk Communication Strategies

DO:

• Provide both absolute and relative risk information when discussing health risks with patients 1
• Show how risk may be modified as behaviors change over time 1
• Use visual aids and easily navigable interfaces when communicating risk information 1
• Highlight modifiable risk factors that patients can address to improve their health outcomes 1

DON'T:

• Present risk information without context (e.g., telling someone they have a 10% risk without explaining what that means) 1
• Focus only on communicating a single risk figure without showing how risk may be lowered through behavior changes 1

Communication Pathways to Improve Health Outcomes

DO:

• Target specific intermediate outcomes such as increased patient understanding, trust, and clinician-patient agreement 3
• Focus on building therapeutic alliances with patients to improve adherence and health outcomes 3
• Enhance patient agency and empowerment through effective communication 3
• Address emotional aspects of patient care to improve management of health conditions 3

DON'T:

• Neglect the importance of social support in patient communication 3
• Overlook the impact of communication on patient self-efficacy and ability to manage their condition 3

Special Considerations for Different Settings

DO:

• Adapt communication approaches based on the clinical setting (bedside, exam room, emergency department) 1
• Use appropriate proportions of empathy, education, and behavioral change strategies depending on the context 1
• Reinforce verbal communication with print materials, multidisciplinary referrals, or credible online resources 1
• Consider using structured communication protocols like situation-background-assessment-recommendation (SBAR) in acute care settings 4

DON'T:

• Use a one-size-fits-all approach to communication across different clinical contexts 1
• Underestimate the importance of non-verbal communication, especially with older patients 5

By implementing these evidence-based communication practices, healthcare providers can improve patient satisfaction, adherence to treatment plans, and ultimately health outcomes while also enhancing their own professional satisfaction and effectiveness.