Insights from The Orlando Senior Help Desk: How doctors and caregivers can better communicate with seniors

Good communication between doctors and patients (and between caregivers and loved ones) is crucial for better health outcomes. It’s a teachable skill that medical students can improve through training. The Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education and the American Board of Medical Specialties recognize interpersonal communication as a core competency.

Effective communication:

• Prevents medical errors

• Improves health outcomes

• Strengthens patient-provider relationships

• Maximizes limited interaction time

To ensure respectful communication:

• Use proper forms of address like Mr.,...