Learn how to use your eye contact, smile, posture, and more to make your patients feel more comfortable and confident in your care.

It should be acknowledged that for many people, such as neurodivergent people, or those from different cultural backgrounds, eye contact may not be an approach that makes them feel comfortable at all. Look for signs that the client is not comfortable with your approach, ask them for their preferences, or try to gather information from their loved ones or past medical notes to determine the approach that might work best for them. And don't assume there is one approach that is the gold standard for all.

How can you use body language to make patients feel more comfortable?

As a patient advocate, you know how important it is to communicate effectively with your clients. You use your words, tone, and listening skills to build rapport, express empathy, and provide information. But did you know that your body language can also have a significant impact on how patients feel and respond to you? In this article, we will explore some tips on how to use your body language to make patients feel more comfortable and confident in your care.

1 Maintain eye contact

Eye contact is one of the most powerful ways to show your attention and interest in the person you are talking to. It can also convey trust, respect, and sincerity. When you maintain eye contact with your patients, you signal that you are focused on them and their needs, and that you are not distracted or bored. However, be careful not to stare or make eye contact for too long, as this can be perceived as intimidating or invasive. Try to match the level and duration of eye contact that your patients give you, and look away briefly every few seconds to avoid creating tension or discomfort.

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Clare Batkin - Your OT Tutor

Helping you become a better OT who loves what you do! | Proud #OTNerd 🤓 | 2024 Finalist - OT of the Year | Open to questions and collaborations to help OTs Learn, Grow and Excel! | Owner of Your OT Tutor
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It should be acknowledged that for many people, such as neurodivergent people, or those from different cultural backgrounds, eye contact may not be an approach that makes them feel comfortable at all. Look for signs that the client is not comfortable with your approach, ask them for their preferences, or try to gather information from their loved ones or past medical notes to determine the approach that might work best for them. And don't assume there is one approach that is the gold standard for all.

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Andy Lau

Passionate Audiologist | Expertise in Vestibular Diagnostics, Electrophysiology & Pediatrics | Advocate for Client-Oriented, Culturally-Sensitive Care & Clinical Education
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I tend to sit myself so that I am either at eye level or at a level slightly lower than the patient so as to not tower over them.

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Gail Dixon-McBride

Natural Health Consultant
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You can smile and give the patient a gentle touch on their hand. I also agree that eye contact is very important. Eye contact let's the patient know that you are truly listening to them and are reading their facial expressions which might convey fear, and anxiety, which you can then try to make them feel more at peace with your smile, or show concern with your facial expressions and comforting words, spoken softly. Move closer to them as you are speaking to them. Make sure that you acknowledge any concerns the patient may have and let them know that you plan to do everything you can to help them feel better and get better.

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2 Smile and nod

Smiling and nodding are simple but effective gestures that can make your patients feel more relaxed and appreciated. Smiling shows that you are friendly, approachable, and positive, while nodding indicates that you are listening, understanding, and agreeing with what your patients are saying. Smiling and nodding can also encourage your patients to continue talking and sharing their thoughts and feelings, as they feel that you are supportive and interested in their perspective. However, be mindful of the context and tone of the conversation, and avoid smiling or nodding excessively or inappropriately, as this can come across as insincere, patronizing, or dismissive.

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Cassandra Wind

Speaker/Author/Custom Wellness Specialist
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When dealing with children or adolescents, make sure you are at eye-to-eye level when speaking with them. When speaking to them, ask if they have any questions and take the time to answer them. Find a way to be playful or give them a choice if possible in treatment situations.

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3 Lean in and mirror

Leaning in and mirroring are subtle ways to demonstrate your engagement and empathy with your patients. Leaning in slightly towards your patients shows that you are attentive and curious, and that you want to hear more from them. It can also reduce the physical and psychological distance between you and your patients, and create a sense of intimacy and connection. Mirroring is the act of matching or mimicking the body language, gestures, or expressions of your patients, such as crossing your arms, tilting your head, or raising your eyebrows. Mirroring can help you establish rapport and trust with your patients, as it shows that you are in sync with them and that you share their emotions or attitudes. However, be careful not to lean in or mirror too much or too obviously, as this can be seen as intrusive, creepy, or mocking.

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Nawarh Faran

Corporate Quality Patient Safety Director/ strategic healthcare leader/ innovation
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I completely agree, mirroring and matching is a powerful empathy tool when used appropriately. It is scientifically proven tool that triggers human connection which is pivotal to patient engagement

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4 Open your posture

Your posture can reveal a lot about your confidence, attitude, and mood. When you adopt an open posture, you show that you are confident, relaxed, and receptive. An open posture means that you keep your arms and legs uncrossed, your shoulders back, your chest out, and your palms up or facing your patients. This way, you signal that you are open to communication, feedback, and collaboration, and that you have nothing to hide or defend. An open posture can also make your patients feel more comfortable and confident in themselves, as they see that you are not threatened or intimidated by them. However, be careful not to adopt an open posture that is too relaxed or casual, as this can be seen as unprofessional, disrespectful, or arrogant.

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Meredith B.

Author. Speaker. Podcast Host. Focusing on higher ed student engagement & allied health pro development . Sport/Ortho DPT. OCS. CSCS. CEP. Pilates. Yoga. CPT.
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Definitely agree. I had worked for a large practice. We had a psychologist guest presenter share ideas on how to improve our therapeutic alliance and customer satisfaction scores. One tip was “open heart, open hands.” The phrase helped us remember to point the center of our chest (heart) and palms toward the patient, as opposed to crossing our arms. The tips was well received by staff and patients, as it created a sense of openness.

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5 Respect personal space

Personal space is the area around a person that they consider their own, and that they do not want others to invade without their permission. The size and boundaries of personal space vary depending on the culture, context, and relationship of the people involved. When you respect your patients' personal space, you show that you are aware of their preferences and comfort levels, and that you do not want to impose or pressure them. Respecting personal space can also help you avoid making your patients feel anxious, violated, or offended. To respect your patients' personal space, you need to observe their cues and reactions, and adjust your distance and touch accordingly. Generally, you should maintain a comfortable arm's length distance from your patients, unless they invite you to come closer or touch them. You should also ask for their consent before touching them, and avoid touching their face, head, or intimate areas.

Using your body language to make patients feel more comfortable is not only a skill, but also an art. It requires sensitivity, awareness, and practice. By following these tips, you can enhance your communication and relationship with your patients, and make them feel more valued, respected, and cared for.

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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?

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How can you use body language to make patients feel more comfortable?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Maintain eye contact

2 Smile and nod

3 Lean in and mirror

4 Open your posture

5 Respect personal space

6 Here’s what else to consider

Patient Advocacy

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How can you use body language to make patients feel more comfortable?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Maintain eye contact

2 Smile and nod

3 Lean in and mirror

4 Open your posture

5 Respect personal space

6 Here’s what else to consider

Patient Advocacy

Rate this article

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