What are effective strategies for active listening with patients experiencing trauma?

2 Listen with empathy and respect

Empathy and respect are essential for active listening, as they show that you care about the patient's feelings, experiences, and perspectives. Empathy means putting yourself in the patient's shoes, and trying to understand their emotions and needs. Respect means acknowledging the patient's dignity, autonomy, and rights, and avoiding judgment, criticism, or blame. To listen with empathy and respect, you can use verbal and non-verbal cues, such as nodding, eye contact, paraphrasing, reflecting, and validating. You can also express empathy and respect by being attentive, supportive, and compassionate, and by respecting the patient's boundaries and preferences.

3 Avoid assumptions and interruptions

One of the common barriers to active listening is making assumptions or interruptions, which can interfere with the patient's message and affect the quality of the communication. Assumptions are preconceived ideas or beliefs that you have about the patient or the situation, which may not be accurate or relevant. Interruptions are any actions or words that cut off or distract the patient from speaking, such as changing the topic, giving advice, or finishing their sentences. To avoid assumptions and interruptions, you need to be curious, open-minded, and patient, and to focus on the patient's words and meanings. You can also ask clarifying questions, summarize what you heard, and check for understanding.

4 Manage your emotions and reactions

Another challenge for active listening is managing your own emotions and reactions, especially when dealing with difficult or sensitive topics. As a patient advocate, you may encounter situations that trigger your own feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, or distress. These emotions can affect your ability to listen effectively, and may also affect the patient's comfort and trust. To manage your emotions and reactions, you need to be self-aware, mindful, and calm. You can also use coping strategies, such as breathing exercises, positive affirmations, or self-talk, to regulate your emotions and reactions.

5 Seek feedback and follow up

Active listening is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process that requires feedback and follow-up. Feedback is the information that you get from the patient or other sources, such as their body language, tone of voice, or facial expressions, that tells you how well you are listening and understanding. Follow-up is the action that you take after the communication, such as sending a summary, confirming a plan, or providing resources. To seek feedback and follow up, you need to be attentive, responsive, and proactive. You can also use feedback and follow-up to reinforce your relationship, clarify any misunderstandings, and address any concerns.

6 Practice self-care and resilience

Active listening with patients experiencing trauma can be rewarding, but also exhausting and stressful. As a patient advocate, you need to take care of yourself and your well-being, and to build your resilience and coping skills. Self-care and resilience are the practices and habits that help you maintain your physical, mental, and emotional health, and to recover from stress and adversity. Some examples of self-care and resilience are getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, meditating, seeking support, setting boundaries, and engaging in hobbies. By practicing self-care and resilience, you can enhance your performance, satisfaction, and quality of life as a patient advocate.

7 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?