5 Ways Healthcare Providers Can Build Meaningful Connection with Patients

Are healthcare providers present? Presence is a purposeful practice of awareness, focus, and attention with the intent to understand and connect with patients. A recent study in JAMA provided five recommended practices to foster presence and meaningful connection with patients:

• Prepare with Intention: Become familiar with the patient prior to the initial encounter and create a ritual to focus your attention before the visit.
• Listen Intently and Completely: Sit down, lean forward, and position yourself to listen. Don’t interrupt. The patient is the most valuable source of information.
• Agree on What Matters Most: Find out what your patient cares about and incorporate these priorities into the visit agenda
• Connect with the Patient’s Story: Consider the circumstances that influence your patient’s health. Acknowledge your patient’s efforts, celebrate successes.
• Explore Emotional Cues: Tune in. Notice, name, and validate your patient’s emotions to become a trusted partner.