Experience Corner: Creating Connections

Creating Connection

As care providers, we have to be adept at creating connections quickly with human beings from all walks of life during some of the most stressful times of their lives. No matter how intelligent you may be at diagnosing diseases, or how technically proficient you are in the operating room, if you cannot communicate in a way that builds trust to form a therapeutic alliance with a patient or family, then all is lost.

Creating meaningful connections doesn't have to do with certain personality types or being an extrovert; it is a communication skill that can be learned, practiced and honed like any other skill we are taught in our training. One of the most impactful and simple actions to creating connection is to simply just sit down. Finding a way to level the playing field and be at eye-level with a patient and/or family member can not only ease tension and create a calmer environment, but it also minimizes the physical dynamic that standing over someone can create. Moreover, studies have shown that the perception of time spent at the bedside is increased when providers are sitting versus standing^1-3.

So next time you find yourself at the start of a busy clinic or hospital day of patient encounters, try sitting down and seeing how it goes. We'd love to hear if it changes things for you and helps to create meaningful connections with your patients and families.

Amit Singh, M.D., on behalf of the Cook Children's Experience Team

References:

1. Swayden KJ, Anderson KK, Connelly LM,Moran JS, McMahon JK, Arnold PM. Effect of sitting vs. standing on perception of provider time at bedside: a pilot study. Patient Educ Couns. 2012;86(2):166–171
2. Johnson RL, Sadosty AT, Weaver AL, Goyal DG. To sit or not to sit? Ann Emerg Med. 2008;51(2):188–193, 193.e1–193.e2
3. Osborn R, Grossman M, Berkwitt A. The Effect of Sitting Versus Standing on Family Perceptions of Family-Centered Rounds. Hosp Pediatr. 2021 Nov;11(11).