When you are rounding with the nurse and discussing the overall care plan with the patient and the nurse, make sure to include a discussion about pain management at that time. At the very least let the patient know that, “We want to do everything possible to help you...

It begins with listening well. In the words of Sir William Osler (one of the founding fathers of Johns Hopkins) 1, “Listening is unspoken caring.” If one doesn’t truly understand the question (or the concern-behind-the-patient’s-question), then one will not truly be...

First, connect with patients emotionally. Instead of re-assuring patients first (“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of you”), acknowledge patients where they are emotionally by empathizing first. Say something like, “Yes, I understand that you’re nervous about what the...