Do we really hear our patients? Or just listen long enough to respond? In today’s fast-paced clinics, true listening is often the first casualty. Yet it’s far more than courtesy: it’s a clinical tool that builds trust, uncovers what matters most, improves outcomes, and even protects clinicians from burnout.

I talk with Maureen Bisognano, President Emerita at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and global leader in healthcare quality. We explore how curiosity and “proximate listening” can transform patient care, what telehealth teaches us about paying attention, and leadership strategies to create a culture that truly listens.

We also share Bill’s story- a 90-year-old patient whose case shows how listening can be the difference between misdiagnosis and the right care.

Listening isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Practical clinical pearls:

1. Start with “what matters.” Asking “What would make a good day for you?” or “What’s most important for you today?” often reveals the patient’s real priorities and builds trust quickly.
2. Use open-ended questions wisely. Replace “Do you have any questions?” with “What questions or concerns do you have?” it affirms curiosity and doesn’t add much time.
3. Sit when you can. Even a moment sitting down makes patients feel heard and cared for, and increases satisfaction.
4. Let design help you. Face the patient while typing, use an AI scribe, reduce noise or distractions where possible, small environmental shifts signal attention.
5. Empower through listening. Ask colleagues “What do you think?” or “If you were in my chair, what would you change?” to invite practical solutions and strengthen teamwork.
6. Foster resilience by sharing stories. Creating moments to eat together, debrief, or reflect with peers reduces burnout and builds a culture of support.

Guest bio:

Maureen Bisognano, President Emerita and Senior Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), previously served as IHI’s President and CEO for five years, after serving as Executive Vice President and COO for 15 years. She is a prominent authority on improving health care systems, whose expertise has been recognized by her elected membership to the National Academy of Medicine (IOM), among other distinctions. Ms. Bisognano advises health care leaders around the world, is a frequent speaker at major health care conferences on quality improvement and is a tireless advocate for change. She is an Instructor at the Harvard School of Public Health. She chaired the Advisory Board of the Well Being Trust, co-chairs the Massachusetts Coalition for Serious Illness Care with Dr. Atul Gawande, and serves on the boards of the Commonwealth Fund, Indiana University Health and Nursing Now. Prior to joining IHI, she served as CEO of the Massachusetts Respiratory Hospital and Senior Vice President of The Juran Institute.

Resources:

Berry LL, Bisognano M, Twum-Danso NAY, Awdish RLA. The Value — and the Values — of Listening. Mayo Clin Proc. 2025;100(9):1482-1486. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2025.06.002

Abrahams R, Groysberg B. How to Become a Better Listener. Harv Bus Rev. 2021 Dec 21. Available from: https://hbr.org/2021/12/how-to-become-a-better-listener

Email me:

thespecialistgp@outlook.co.nz

Listen here:

Apple : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-specialist-gp/id1845748299

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/33slefeXuzUH3coNCiWQ49?si=oRH4uIa4QnuxMfkIJ7sybg