Developing Effective Communication in Clinical Practice

Mastering Effective Communication in Clinical Practice

I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a clinician a great communicator. Every day, I see around 20 patients, each with their own personality, attitude, and expectations. Some are easygoing, others are anxious, some are enthusiastic, and some—well, let’s just say they test your patience.

No matter how much effort we put in, misunderstandings happen. Patients will sometimes walk away unhappy, even when we think we’ve done everything right. Maybe they felt dismissed, unheard, or just didn’t connect with us. And when communication breaks down, it doesn’t just make our job harder—it affects patient satisfaction and outcomes.

So, over the years, I’ve picked up a few techniques that have made a real difference in how I interact with patients. These aren’t complex strategies—just simple tweaks that help make patients feel understood, comfortable, and engaged.

The Mirror Technique: Matching Your Patient’s Energy

Have you ever met a patient who walks in looking frustrated, and you respond with a cheerful “Good morning! How are you?”—only to be met with a cold stare? Or a patient who’s super chatty and energetic, while you’re in serious mode, just trying to get through the consult?

That’s when I started using the Mirror Technique—matching my patient’s energy and communication style. It’s not about faking anything, but about creating a sense of connection.

If a patient is reserved and quiet, I slow down, keep my tone soft, and don’t overwhelm them with too many questions at once. If they’re upbeat and animated, I bring up my energy to match theirs. If they seem frustrated, I acknowledge it rather than trying to force a cheerful conversation.

It’s amazing how well this works. People feel more comfortable when they sense that you’re on the same wavelength. A small adjustment in tone, speed, or expression can completely change how a consultation feels.

Active Listening: Actually Hearing Your Patients

This one seems obvious, but it’s surprising how often we think we’re listening when we’re actually just waiting for our turn to speak. And with 20-minute appointment slots, it’s tempting to speed things up—cutting in, half-listening, or typing notes while the patient talks.

But patients notice when we’re not fully present.

There’s actually a study that found doctors interrupt patients just 11 seconds after they start speaking. Eleven seconds! Imagine going to a clinic with something that’s been bothering you for weeks, only to be cut off before you can even finish your first sentence.

I’ve had to train myself to pause and really listen. Even when I think I already know where the conversation is going, I force myself to wait, make eye contact, and give them space to talk. No interruptions, no rushing, just letting them speak.

And here’s the crazy part: the more I listen, the faster the consultation actually goes. Patients don’t feel the need to repeat themselves or get defensive because they feel heard the first time.

A little patience goes a long way.

Speak Simply: Ditch the Medical Jargon

Ever had a patient nod along as you explain something, only to realize later they didn’t understand a word? Yeah, me too.

Medical professionals love jargon. We throw around terms like paraesthesia, radiculopathy, subluxation—but for most patients, that just sounds like another language. The trick is simplifying without dumbing things down.

Instead of:
👉 “Do you experience paraesthesia?”
Try:
✅ “Do you ever feel pins and needles?”

Instead of:
👉 “Do you have nocturnal symptoms?”
Try:
✅ “Does the pain wake you up at night?”

Small changes, huge impact. Patients feel more engaged when they actually understand what we’re saying. And if they don’t, they’re more likely to ask questions instead of just nodding along, pretending they get it.

One thing I’ve also started doing is asking patients to explain things back to me—not in a patronizing way, but just to make sure we’re on the same page. Something as simple as:
✅ “Just so I know I explained it well, can you tell me how you’d describe this to someone else?”

It helps catch misunderstandings early and makes sure they leave feeling confident about what’s happening.

Open-Ended Questions: Getting More Than Just a Yes or No

Sometimes, the way we ask questions completely shuts down a conversation without us realizing it.

Take pain, for example. If I ask:
❌ “Does your pain wake you up at night?”
The patient might just say yes or no, and that’s the end of it.

But if I ask:
✅ “Tell me about your sleep.”
Now, they have space to describe what’s actually happening. Maybe it’s not just the pain waking them—it’s stiffness, or a habit of getting up multiple times, or anxiety. I get more useful information without asking a million follow-up questions.

It’s the same with general well-being. Instead of:
❌ “Are you feeling better?”
Try:
✅ “How have you been feeling since our last session?”

Instead of:
❌ “Do you want to do some exercises?”
Try:
✅ “What kind of movement do you think you’d enjoy?”

It shifts the focus from yes/no answers to actual conversations—which means better understanding and better patient engagement.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, being a great clinician isn’t just about medical knowledge—it’s about how well we communicate. Patients don’t just want a diagnosis and a treatment plan; they want to feel heard, understood, and involved in their care.

For me, that means:
✔️ Mirroring the patient’s energy so they feel comfortable.
✔️ Listening actively instead of rushing to respond.
✔️ Ditching medical jargon and speaking in clear, simple language.
✔️ Asking open-ended questions to get better insights.

These small shifts make a huge difference. They lead to fewer misunderstandings, better relationships, and ultimately, better care.

So next time you’re with a patient, try making one small change in how you communicate—and see how it transforms the conversation.

And if you’ve got a go-to communication tip, I’d love to hear it! What works best for you in clinic? Let’s share and learn from each other.