Make it count.

Many oncology visits are high-stakes interactions. We all probably know what it’s like to walk under-prepared into a clinic room with 3-generations of family members. We’re here to share the most important physician behaviors that promote a sense of presence and patient connection during clinic visits. A panel of 14 experts generated a list of “top 5” practices from a systematic review of interpersonal interventions. Top of the list was preparing with intention for the clinical encounter. While that sounds obvious, it can be hard to stop and take a moment to refocus before grabbing the next chart. Next, listen intently and completely, connect with the patient’s story, understand and agree on what matters most to the patient, and explore the patient’s emotional cues. TBL: Optimize the time you have with patients. | Zulman, JAMA 2020