An empathic connection and good communication between physician and patient can promote better outcomes. In this episode of Pomegranate Health, U.S. physician A/Prof Danielle Ofri discusses where breakdowns in doctor-patient communication occur—often in the first 10 or 20 seconds of a consultation. Dr Ofri, author of What Patients Say, What Doctors Hear, suggests ways for physicians to listen better, to be understood and promote adherence.

Some media also report a 'crisis of compassion' in healthcare. Burnout of staff is a major contributor, and palliative care physician Dr Shamsul Shah describes how to mitigate it by convening groups to reflect on the emotional challenges of the job. She recently published an evaluation of Schwartz Center Rounds® (case-based reflections) run at Auckland City Hospital in the College's Internal Medicine Journal.

Guests
A/Professor Danielle Ofri MD PhD (Bellevue Hospital, New York; New York University School of Medicine)
Dr Shamsul Shah FRACP (Auckland City Hospital)

Production
Written and produced by Mic Cavazzini. Music courtesy of Blue Dot Sessions ('Periodicals'), Sergey Cheremisinov ('Old Ally', 'Tavern'), and Loch Lomond ('A String- Instrumental'). Image property of RACP. The production manager was Anne Fredrickson.

Editorial feedback for this episode was provided by RACP members Philip Gaughwin, Michael Herd, Andrea Knox, Paul Jauncey, Rebecca Grainger, Joseph Lee, Rachel Williams, Mahesh Dhakal, and Katrina Gibson.

Please visit the RACP website for a transcript embedded with citations. Fellows of the College can claim CPD credits for listening and additional reading.