EP455: Dr. Timothy Gilligan shares how to build trust in critical medical conversations (Part 1)
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How can physicians communicate better to build trust and improve patient outcomes? In this episode, Dr. Bradley Block sits down with Dr. Timothy Gilligan to explore the art and science of healthcare communication. Dr. Gilligan shares compelling stories, like convincing a patient with testicular cancer to accept treatment by focusing on their identity, and offers actionable techniques for flattening hierarchies, delivering bad news, and teaching communication skills to seasoned attendings. From the SPIKES protocol to staying present in tough moments, this episode is packed with strategies to enhance empathy, earn trust, and navigate challenging conversations—no matter where you are in your career.
Three Actionable Takeaways:
- Listen First to Build Trust: Start patient encounters by asking, “What have other doctors told you?” to understand their perspective and show you value their story, fostering trust before sharing medical details.
- Use the SPIKES Protocol for Bad News: Ensure the right setting, gain permission, assess patient knowledge, deliver clear information, respond with empathy, and summarize next steps to guide tough conversations effectively.
- Reset Between Patients: Take 5-10 seconds to breathe and ground yourself before entering a room to stay present and avoid carrying emotional baggage from prior encounters.
About the Show:
The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!
About the Guest:
Dr. Timothy Gilligan is an associate professor of medicine and medical oncologist specializing in urological malignancies at the Cleveland Clinic, where he serves as Associate Director of the Communication Skills course. As president of the Academy of Communication in Healthcare, he leads efforts to improve healthcare communication. Dr. Gilligan co-edited Communication, the Cleveland Clinic Way, and focuses on educational interventions for allyship, microaggressions, and anti-racist culture as the DEI officer for GME at Cleveland Clinic.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothygilliganmd
About the Host:
Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Physician’s Guide to Doctoring podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physicians.
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Want to be a guest?
Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com (mailto:brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com) or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!
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healthcare communication, physician-patient trust, delivering bad news, SPIKES protocol, empathy in medicine, building trust with patients, communication skills training, flattening hierarchy in healthcare
