The Listening Practices of Exemplary Physicians

Abstract

Young doctors in training and experienced physicians alike have come to recognize that effective listening is essential to forming a successful relationship with patients. Fourteen winners of the American Medical Association Foundation Pride in the Profession Award (from 2002-2008) were interviewed to learn about the role of listening in their medical practice. Transcripts of the interviews were reviewed and approved by the participants. The physicians all agreed that listening is at the heart of good medicine. The doctors' testimonies indicate a commitment to receptivity and two-way communication that undergirds their approach to professional relationships.

The Relationship between Empathy and Listening Styles is Complex: Implications for Doctors in Training

“…Both empathy and effective listening play an important role in the physician-patient relationship (5,23,24). In this study, we hypothesized that higher levels of empathy were associated with a preference for a relational or people-oriented listening style.…”

Realizing Engel's Biopsychosocial Vision: Resilience, Compassion, and Quality of Care

“…During training, students and residents are socialized into an attitude of detached concern with equanimity; yet, satisfaction comes from being more fully engaged in one's work, a radical presence that draws on all of one's cognitive and emotional potential. Whether this engagement is directed toward excellence in the operating room (see Moulton's notion of "slowing down when you should" [29]) or a sense of understanding of another's distress in the rheumatology clinic, radical presence is one capacity that distinguishes exemplary clinicians from those who are merely competent [30]. Coulehan quotes Thomas Percival, naming those capacities as tenderness-a fully present caring engagement-and steadiness-the mental stability to get one's work done, and done well [20].…”

Mechanics and gardeners: The role of mindfulness in medical education

“…Presence helps us to reconceptualise patients' distress in their terms; it energises us to go the extra mile. [17][18][19][20][21] Attentive observation, critical curiosity, beginner's mind and presence are skills and qualities of mind fundamental to evidence-based decision-making, forming trusting relationships, activating patients to engage in their own care, ethical practice and the sustainability of the health care workforce. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Our work and that of others show that it is possible to cultivate these skills.…”

“…Deep listening is one manifestation of presence; it humanises, energises and activates shared meaning and humanity that invites compassion and kindness. Presence helps us to reconceptualise patients' distress in their terms; it energises us to go the extra mile 17–21 . Attentive observation, critical curiosity, beginner's mind and presence are skills and qualities of mind fundamental to evidence‐based decision‐making, forming trusting relationships, activating patients to engage in their own care, ethical practice and the sustainability of the health care workforce 22–28 …”