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Can improv skills transform patient interactions in healthcare?

Dr. Bradley Block and Tane Danger, share how improvisation fosters essential skills like active listening, empathy, collaboration, and adaptability. Drawing from over 20 years in improv theater, Tane explains techniques such as "Yes, And" to validate patient concerns and build trust, staying present to avoid jumping to conclusions, and using nonverbal cues for better rapport. Through fun exercises like one-word stories, Tane demonstrates how these tools help healthcare professionals slow down, connect authentically, and navigate unpredictable situations, ultimately making interactions more enjoyable and effective for both providers and patients.

Three Actionable Takeaways:

• · Stay Present and Listen Actively: In healthcare, it's easy to jump to conclusions based on experience, but staying present ensures accurate diagnoses and builds patient trust. Repeat the last thing a patient says to start your response, slowing down your thought process, demonstrating engagement, and allowing their full story to unfold naturally for better outcomes.
• Embrace "Yes, And": Validate patient ideas by starting responses with "Yes" to affirm what they've said, then add "And" to build collaboratively, exploring their concerns without dismissal. This fosters open dialogue, rapport, and partnership, turning potential conflicts into constructive conversations that enhance understanding and adherence to treatment plans.
• Incorporate Theatricality: Use exaggerated nonverbal cues, like expressive facial reactions and body language, to show genuine interest in patients' stories. This "theatricality" amplifies empathy, making interactions more authentic and helping patients feel heard, even if you're familiar with their condition, ultimately strengthening trust and the therapeutic relationship.

About the Show

Succeed In Medicine  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:

Tane Danger is an improviser with over 20 years of experience performing, teaching, and directing improv theater. He is the co-founder of Danger Boat Productions, which uses improv to facilitate important conversations and improve communication and collaboration. As artist-in-residence at the Mayo Clinic Lavin Center for Humanities in Medicine, he trains healthcare professionals in improv techniques to enhance connection, empathy, and quick thinking.

  Website: tanedanger.com
Company Website: dangerboat.net

About the Host:

Dr. Bradley Block – 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 Succeed In Medicine podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physicians

Want to be a guest?

Email Brad at [email protected]  or visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to learn more!

Socials:

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@physiciansguide on Instagram and Twitter

This medical podcast is your physician mentor to fill the gaps in your medical education. We cover physician soft skills, charting, interpersonal skills, doctor finance, doctor mental health, medical decisions, physician parenting, physician executive skills, navigating your doctor career, and medical professional development. This is critical CME for physicians, but without the credits (yet). A proud founding member of the Doctor Podcast Network!

Visit www.physiciansguidetodoctoring.com to connect, dive deeper, and keep the conversation going. Let’s grow! 

Disclaimer:

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional for personalized guidance.

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