It’s natural for clinicians to crave meaningful interactions in their professional conversations. Yet, the reality often falls short.
If you think about other service jobs, conversations in those roles often naturally include snippets of personal life – a quick chat about a pet, an upcoming birthday, or a comment on someone’s new outfit. Such exchanges create a sense of connection and belonging. For clinicians, similar interactions might be viewed as unprofessional, but this doesn’t mean they can’t have relatable conversations that enrich both their patients’ experiences and their own mental health.
The British Medical Association (BMA) highlighted that since 2017, there’s been a steady decline in GPs working full-time, with more doctors opting for part-time roles. This shift likely stems from a need to manage stress, avoid burnout, and achieve a better work-life balance.
There are obvious systemic factors and personal reasons that influence this trend, like the volume of consultations per day, life events, workplace characteristics and culture etc.
But is there more to it? Could the challenge of having meaningful conversations in clinical practice be a hidden factor, contributing to stress and burnout?
Is there a crisis in the role that clinicians play in clinician-patient interactions, particularly in the depth and breadth of their relationship? See the reference below for additional thoughts on the latter.
In our previous article we talked about taking action through self-reflection. Read more here, Considering that clinical practice occupies at least half of our waking hours each day, how can we ensure that our conversations in this setting are meaningful and purposeful, beyond just being part of our job?
Primary Care Consultations and Human Connections
General practice can sometimes feel overwhelmingly transactional. Discussing ailments, whether they involve embarrassing symptoms or morbid issues, can become monotonous and emotionally draining. The nature of these interactions might make it seem impossible to find any personal or professional satisfaction.
However, by making consultations more conversational, clinicians can enhance their mental well-being and professional experience. Some of the stories that people tell can be uplifting and these interactions when facilitated well, can be rewarding.
Conversations are at the heart of human connection and culture. The more we engage in meaningful dialogues, the more human and connected we feel. This human element can significantly improve mental health and create a sense of balance. So, how can clinicians take this emotional risk in their consultations?
Communication Skills/Tools
Here are some practical tools to help make your consultations more conversational:
1. Mirroring and Labelling: Reflecting patients’ words and emotions shows understanding and encourages them to share more.
2. ICE and Impact Questions: These are questions about Ideas, Concerns, and Expectations. Asking about these aspects can uncover underlying issues and build rapport. Similarly, inquiring about the impact of the scenario can highlight shared experiences that connect you and your patient to the wider community.
3. Presupposition and Scenarios: Using phrases like “My friend John once…” can help pivot to sensitive topics or offer options without making the patient uncomfortable.
4. Summarising: Periodically summarising what the patient has shared shows you’re listening and helps clarify their concerns.
5. Open-Ended Questions: Asking, “What are you thinking at this point?” invites patients to share their thoughts and feelings, making the conversation more interactive and less clinical.
Integrating these techniques can transform your consultations into engaging, conversational experiences. Not only will this benefit your patients by making them feel heard and valued, but it will also enhance your own professional satisfaction and mental well-being.
For more details on how to apply these skills, check out the video below where I provide detailed examples.
Best wishes in your career.
References
Shah, R., Ahluwalia, S. and Spicer, J. (2021). A crisis of identity: what is the essence of general practice? British Journal of General Practice, 71(707), pp.246–247. doi:https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp21x715745.
