The Most Underestimated Tool to Help Patients Heal (with Dr. Jake Stucki)

What if the most potent tool for healing isn't a drug or a procedure, but the very words we choose? Today, we unlock the profound and underestimated power of language in patient care. Dr. Grant Stucki is joined once again by Dr. Jake Stucki, an OMS practicing in the Denver area. We look at how to optimize patient disclosure during the pre-operative stage, ensuring both the language and the level of information are appropriate and clear. We emphasize the benefits of shifting from simple "yes or no" questions to more open-ended inquiries to improve patient communication, and discuss the critical importance of being mindful of how we frame and communicate recovery times. The conversation also covers intra- and post-operative language, focusing on the power of positive seed-planting and careful word choice. We explore how simple communication between practitioners can significantly limit unnecessary issues, and finally, we delve into the "Second Victim" ideology, explaining why the language we use with ourselves and our team is essential for well-being. Tune in for a patient-care-focused conversation on how the words we use can ultimately impact the physical healing trajectory of our patients.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. G. Stucki introduces today’s topic of conversation: the power of the language we use.
• Do the words we use have an impact on our patients’ ability to heal?
• Pre-operative language: How can we optimize patient disclosure regarding surgical complications while ensuring the language is appropriate and clear?
• Changing our yes or no questions to more open-ended questions.
• How we approach framing and communicating recovery times.
• Intra-and post-operative language: planting positive seeds consistently and watching our word choice.
• Dr. G. Stucki shares a quick story about choosing post-operative language wisely.
• How simple communication between practitioners can limit unnecessary issues.
• Where surgeons fall short in our patient-care communication: empathy.
• Second victim: why the language we use both with ourselves and our team is also important.
• We highlight the practical takeaways from today’s content.

Studies Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

1. General Physician–Patient Communication and Outcomes

‘Effective physician-patient communication and health outcomes: a review.’ — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1337906/

‘The impact of doctor-patient communication on patient satisfaction in outpatient settings: implications for medical training and practice’ — https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12909-025-07433-y

2. Pre- and Postoperative Communication in Surgery

‘The Importance of Communication in the Management of Postoperative Pain’ — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3689499/

‘Quality communication can improve patient-centred health outcomes among older patients: a rapid review’ — https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-023-09869-8

3. Surgical Team Communication & Safety

‘Investigating the relationship between surgical team communication and patient outcomes’ —https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384727941_INVESTIGATING_THE_RELATIONSHIP_BETWEEN_SURGICAL_TEAM_COMMUNICATION_AND_PATIENT_OUTCOMES&n