Lecture Speaking of Uncertainty in Healthcare Practice

Yesterday, Marij Hillen, researcher and teacher Medical Communication from Amsterdam UMC, presented an inspiring lecture on “Speaking of Uncertainty in Healthcare Practice”, a topic that relates to our work on expectation management by means of communication.

Key takeaways from her talk:

• Uncertainty is becoming more visible and tangible in healthcare. Clinicians, patients and informal carers need guidance in how to manage and discuss uncertainty. A mix of quantitative and qualitative methods is needed to capture its full complexity, with particular challenges in how to assess the effects of discussing uncertainty.
• There is large variation in communication approaches across clinicians and settings. How uncertainty is discussed may also evolve over time and across different phases of care. Clinically, clinicians can have three overarching goals:

1. Prepare - anticipate for the discussion of uncertainty
2. Convey - informing patients about uncertainty
3. Support - helping patients deal with uncertainty

• Communication skills trainings for healthcare professionals are being developed and implemented in medical education, residency and beyond

It was a rich and practical lecture that provided valuable new insights, further strengthening our understanding of how communication can support effective expectation management in healthcare.