Communications

I agree completely. Good listening isn't just about keeping quiet while someone speaks. It is about engaging the other person, paying close attention to their body language, tone of voice, and other nonverbal cues. Moreover, listening involves active refraining from making personal judgments or inferences. Too often we leap to conclusions about what the other person is trying to say or we are thinking about our own response before they are even finished talking. In a health care setting, for example, we might assume causes for a patient's problems that are not there. Also, as the author points out a good listener asks questions to clarify what the speaker is trying to say. Instead of making assumptions, a doctor or health care worker should ask.

One of the most difficult aspects of human communication is learning to agree to disagree. So often, we cling to the goal of being right above all things. We sacrifice harmony and understanding just so we can prove a point or act as if our point-of-view is more valid than the other person's. Instead, we should learn to listen to why the other person feels the way he or she feels. Even if we do not agree, we can still appreciate that person is coming from a whole other perspective. We can learn from that alternative perspective and maybe even alter our own belief systems. If not, we can open our minds and accept the variety of values, beliefs, and opinions. Especially when working with patients we need to be sensitive to the differences that might impact their treatment or their perception of treatment.

3. Staying objective is absolutely essential when listening, and especially when listening to patients. Patients divulge sensitive information about their personal lives when discussing their health problems with doctors. For example, a patient might have a drug addiction that his or her friends and family members are unaware of. Instead of passing judgment we as health care workers need to help the person. Similarly, a patient with a stigmatized illness like having HIV / AIDS or a woman seeking an abortion will need totally objective care. Health care workers need only to be concerned with the patient's immediate physical needs: how to help them heal. It is not our job to pass judgment on their personalities or their lifestyle choices.