What are the best ways to build patient rapport and trust?

1 Be respectful and empathetic

One of the most essential ways to build rapport and trust is to show respect and empathy for your patients. Respect means acknowledging and honoring their values, beliefs, and choices, even if they differ from yours. Empathy means putting yourself in their shoes and expressing genuine concern and compassion for their feelings and experiences. You can demonstrate respect and empathy by using polite and courteous language, listening actively and attentively, validating their emotions, and avoiding judgments or assumptions.

2 Be transparent and honest

Another key way to build rapport and trust is to be transparent and honest with your patients. Transparency means sharing relevant and accurate information with them, explaining the rationale and benefits of your recommendations, and disclosing any potential risks or limitations. Honesty means telling the truth, admitting your mistakes, and correcting any misinformation. You can demonstrate transparency and honesty by using clear and simple language, providing evidence-based sources, and inviting questions and feedback.

3 Be consistent and reliable

A third important way to build rapport and trust is to be consistent and reliable with your patients. Consistency means following through on your promises, delivering on your expectations, and maintaining a regular and predictable contact. Reliability means being available and accessible, responding promptly and professionally, and providing timely and quality services. You can demonstrate consistency and reliability by setting and following a communication plan, keeping records and notes, and following up and following through.

4 Be supportive and empowering

A fourth crucial way to build rapport and trust is to be supportive and empowering with your patients. Supportive means providing encouragement, praise, and recognition, as well as offering resources, referrals, and assistance. Empowering means involving them in decision-making, respecting their autonomy and self-determination, and fostering their confidence and skills. You can demonstrate supportive and empowering by using positive and motivational language, asking for their opinions and preferences, and facilitating their learning and growth.

5 Be flexible and adaptable

A fifth essential way to build rapport and trust is to be flexible and adaptable with your patients. Flexible means being open and willing to adjust your approach, methods, and goals, depending on their needs, circumstances, and feedback. Adaptable means being able to cope and respond to changes, challenges, and opportunities, without compromising your standards or ethics. You can demonstrate flexible and adaptable by using creative and innovative solutions, seeking feedback and input, and embracing diversity and difference.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?