How to Get to the Point: Clear Communication in High-Stakes Clinical Environments

Presenter: Justin Atherton, Confidence Unchained LLC

Objectives: 

• Evaluate how communication behaviors influence trust between clinical roles (e.g., physician-nurse, clinical-non-clinical staff) and apply specific strategies to strengthen trust during high-stakes patient care interactions.
• Differentiate between vague, conceptual language and concrete, behavioral language in clinical communication, and evaluate their impact on clarity, accountability, and team coordination.
• Demonstrate structured communication strategies, including the WAVE Method, to improve clarity, strengthen trust, and enhance team performance in clinical settings.
• Apply the Point-Why-Context framework to deliver, clear, structured communication that improves understanding, reduces ambiguity, and supports timely clinical decision-making.
• Employ a structured debriefing approach following critical incidents to identify communication breakdowns, clarify decision-making, and improve team performance in future clinical events.

You may join us virtually or come in person to the 2nd Floor Education Center on the Minneapolis campus.

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