title: Becoming a better listener.
abstract: Listening is the most overlooked, misunderstood, and undervalued communication skill for many people. Being a good listener, however, is at least as important as being a good speaker, writer, or reader. In fact, listening may be the most important communication skill for anyone who works in a medical practice. This article offers seven specific techniques for listening more actively in conversation, whether that conversation is with a medical practice coworker, supervisor, or patient. It offers an active listening strategy for medical practice employees who are about to attend a continuing education or enrichment course, seminar, workshop, or lecture. It suggests a self-reflective exercise to help listeners engage with the material presented at educational programs. Finally, this article offers guidance for listening actively at medical practice staff meetings.
authors.affiliation: merlegerle@aol.com
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sachs Hills
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D032882:Comprehension; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011216:Practice Management, Medical; D014481:United States