Skillful Empathy: Building Trust with Patients

It’s natural to have strong feelings about some patients—they might seem difficult, non-compliant, or simply challenging to work with. But while we may think we can hide our thoughts, they often show through in our tone, body language, and facial expressions. In fact, research shows that only 7% of communication comes from words alone.

For surgeons, developing skillful empathy isn’t just about patient care; it’s essential for protecting your reputation and reducing the risk of patient complaints or retaliation. The Surgeons with Purpose podcast episode “Reputation and Malpractice Insurance: Cultivating Know, Like, and Trust” dives into this topic, offering strategies to communicate effectively, even with challenging patients.

Listen to it here and start cultivating trust and understanding with every patient interaction.