BLOG: Communication in Primary Care

What’s the most complex procedure that we perform in primary care? 

Communication. 

It’s an intricate dance - balancing choreography with improvisation, and intuition with science. 

For years, the medical field didn't conceptualize communication as a skill to develop. We simply categorized doctors as either having “good bedside manner" or not.

As with all skills, some folks are of course gifted with a natural predilection for it. But reframing this as a complicated procedure - rather than an inherent gift - creates the room for structure, education, and improvement. With time and practice, we can start to understand how our words, body language, tone, timing, and delivery are actually our surgical tools. They can make or break patient outcomes—building trust in vulnerable moments or leaving patients feeling isolated during difficult situations. It can be the difference between a patient choosing to take a medication, returning to the next visit, or choosing to share a sensitive issue. 

Mastering this is challenging. The conversation around "breaking bad news" is often considered the ultimate test of communication skills - whether sharing a difficult and scary diagnosis or unfavorable outcome from a treatment course. Our palliative care colleagues excel here, and we have so much to learn from them. Similarly, our partners in supporting mental health (psychiatrists, therapists, and others) consistently demonstrate the power of our words. I’ve spent my career in medicine gravitating towards those with exceptional communication skills, and it’s paid dividends for my own growth.

The most sophisticated medical knowledge means little without the ability to communicate effectively. It's a procedure worth perfecting.