Bridging Communication Gaps in Virtual Care: The Power of Life Languages?

The shift from face-to-face to virtual patient care has been one of the most significant transformations in the healthcare industry in recent years. This transition, largely accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitated a reevaluation of the communication skills required by healthcare providers as well as any other industries transitioning to remote services.

Traditional in-person communication techniques often do not translate directly to the virtual environment, leading to potential misunderstandings, decreased patient satisfaction, and less effective patient care. Recognizing this gap, organizations like the Cleveland Clinic pioneered communication training programs tailored for virtual care.

This article explores the motivation behind such initiatives, the introduction of Kendall’s Life Languages? as a tool for enhancing teletherapy and telehealth communication and invites readers to a webinar that delves deeper into these topics.

Motivation for Advanced Communication Training

The pandemic highlighted a critical gap in healthcare provision whereby, many providers found themselves unprepared for the nuances of virtual communication. Peer-reviewed literature underscores the importance of advanced communication skills in telehealth. Studies indicate that effective communication is vital in building patient trust, understanding, and compliance in virtual settings (Smith, et.al., 2020).

The Cleveland Clinic's former director of communication skills training in the office of patient experience, Amy Windover, PhD,; and through resources like the "Teaching Interpersonal Skills for Telehealth Checklist" developed by Beverly W. Henry et al., (2021) has been at the forefront of addressing these challenges by developing targeted training programs for healthcare staff.

The Role of Life Languages? in Telehealth

My encounter with Kendall’s Life Languages? after a personal family trauma involving poor communication and my clients experiencing personal and professional communication challenges, presented an innovative solution to the communication challenges in telehealth.

Life Languages?, a dynamic communication tool developed by Fred and Anna Kendall (2019), offers a comprehensive communication framework for understanding and leveraging individual communication styles.

The tool classifies each of the seven (7) communication languages into three categories: Action, Feeling, and Thinking. Hence, influencing how individuals give and receive information.

This framework facilitates deeper understanding and connection between healthcare providers and their patients by tailoring communication strategies to the patient’s preferred language.

I envision leveraging this tool to revolutionize teletherapy and telehealth by aiming to equip providers with the skills to connect more effectively with their patients in virtual settings.

The transformative power of Life Languages? lies in its ability to tailor communication strategies to individual patient needs, thereby enhancing understanding, clarity, empathy, effectiveness, and patient care outcomes.

What Participants Will Gain

This webinar, "Bridging Communication Gaps: An Introduction to Life Languages for Effective Teletherapy and Telehealth," promises to be an enlightening experience for healthcare providers.

Participants will gain:

1. Insight into the Critical Role of Communication in Telehealth: Understanding the impact of effective communication on patient outcomes in virtual care settings.
2. Introduction to Life Languages?: A deep dive into the seven Life Languages and how they can be utilized to improve telehealth communication.
3. Practical Strategies: Real-world applications of Life Languages in teletherapy and telehealth, enhancing provider-patient interactions.
4. Enhanced Provider-Patient Relationships: Tools and techniques to build stronger, more empathetic connections with patients remotely.

Conclusion

The integration of Life Languages? into telehealth practices represents a significant advancement in addressing the communication challenges faced by providers in virtual care settings. By participating in this webinar, healthcare professionals will not only enhance their communication skills but also improve the overall quality of care provided to their patients.

Therefore, we invite healthcare providers to join us in this transformative webinar to explore the integration of Life Languages? into their virtual practice. Witness firsthand the powerful impact this tool can have on both providers and the patients they serve. Register now to bridge the communication gap and take patient care to new heights. And should you want to take a peak at your primary Life Languages? take your free mini Life Languages? profile.

References

Henry, B., Billingsly, D., Block, D., & Ehrmann, J. (2021). Development of the teaching interpersonal skills for telehealth checklist. Evaluation & the health professions. 45. 163278721992831. 10.1177/0163278721992831. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349177478_Development_of_the_Teaching_Interpersonal_Skills_for_Telehealth_Checklist.

Kendall, F. & Kendall, A. (2019). Communication IQ: A Proven Way to Influence, Lead, and Motivate People. Life Languages International. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House.

Smith, A. C., Thomas, E., Snoswell, C. L., Haydon, H., Mehrotra, A., Clemensen, J., & Caffery, L. J. (2020). Telehealth for global emergencies: Implications for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 26(5), 309–313. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1357633X20916567.