Volume 198

January 10, 2024

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”

Maya Angelou

With Medical Model intention, Volume 73 featured this thought-provoking and illustrative continuum. Practice patterns reflect purposeful choices. True that…


“To complement The Golden Rule, have you heard of High-Integrity Rulers? While standard rulers measure inches, ‘High-Integrity Rulers’ assess the fundamental intent of persuasive methods.”

“Professionally speaking, would you rather be perceived as $alesy or Educational? From our vantage point, subject matter experts who decisively Amplify Their Impact are principally guided by knowledge-driven aims. From stellar reputations and best practices to research-based information and personalized plans of care, well-respected impacts rule.”

Compelled by educational imperatives, last week’s issue highlighted this JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) article.


In Strategies to Improve Medical Communication, Cappola, et. al. purported:


“Accurate and clear medical information helps patients better manage their health, improves treatment adherence, and reduces healthcare costs, all of which help improve quality of life.”


Let’s view and assess their primary contentions through a Better Hearing is Better Healthcare lens.

The Message: 


“When communicating medical information, clinicians can build trust by being accurate and authentic while communicating uncertainties about the evolving and sometimes contradictory nature of science.” 1

We frequently affirm the Quality of Evidence pyramid, with Volume 107 excerpted here:


“Regarding scientific knowledge, distinct levels of evidence have a hierarchy:”

View larger

On:



  • December 12, 2023 (8 months later), this prestigious journal (to their reputational credit) issued a retraction, with this explanation:


“On Nov 27, 2023, we have been informed by the authors of the paper—Association between hearing aid use and all-cause and cause-specific dementia: an analysis of the UK Biobank cohort—published on April 13, 2023, that an error was introduced in the output format setting of their SAS codes (data for people with hearing loss using hearing aids and with hearing loss without using hearing aids were switched), leading to errors in their analysis which render their findings and conclusions false and misleading. These errors were identified by the authors following an exchange with scientists seeking to reproduce the authors' findings. We are therefore retracting this Article.”

Among the crucial points, in multi-factor scenarios, it is incredibly challenging for scientists to prove their hypotheses with certainty, thus the value of assessing how different variables affect probable outcomes and data replications. Those who devote years and careers to tackling these constructive challenges in high-integrity ways should be deeply respected.

“While information communicated (ie, the message) should be based on evidence, narratives help connect the evidence to an individual.2

Does this sound familiar… that personal stories, with emotive dimensions, can be remarkably influential?

“Including constructive, concrete recommendations is important so that patients can understand the steps they can take to effect behavior change.” 1

Personalized treatment plans. Spot on, correct?

Importance of the Messenger 


“Nurses and physicians are the most trusted professionals in the US.” 3

Results from this fascinating Gallup Poll reinforce virtues of reputation management and medical networking.

Click to view

“In some communities, trusted leaders such as clergy or community activists could be educated by clinicians to convey medical and health information.” 1

With Better Hearing, Better Community alliances an opportune awareness and growth pathway, aim to promote healthy connections with houses of worship. You can do it, we can help.

Improving Medical Communication


“For people who prioritize autonomy and choice, rules and regulations can provoke psychological reactance, defined as the sense of loss of freedom in choosing behaviors, which may evoke resistance to following guidance from authorities.” 1

To Motivational Interviewing advocates, “fixing the righting reflex” and addressing ambivalence are essential.

“One recommended approach to effective communication is the use of narrative storytelling.5 For example, recommendations for healthy diet and physical activity delivered to patients with diabetes as patient testimonials rather than as informational statements led to better intended adherence, less perceived loss of freedom, and greater uptake of healthy behaviors.” 6

As we all recognize, patients say it best and their advocacy amplifies impact.

Harm-Reduction Messaging 


“By addressing the negative consequences of a behavior rather than the behavior itself, this strategy seeks to incrementally improve health and minimize adverse outcomes associated with a behavior. This method emphasizes treating the patient with respect and dignity and conveying a sense of autonomy and accountability for their actions.” 1

Given the concerning array of hearing-related comorbidities, including dementia, risk of falls and dual sensory loss, among many others, optimizing auditory acuities is positively positioned in patients’ preventative best interests.

1 Cappola AR, Cohen KS. Strategies to Improve Medical Communication. JAMA. 2024;331(1):70–71. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.23430

2 Peters E, Salas RN. Communicating statistics on the health effects of climate change. N Engl J Med. 2022:387(3): 193-196. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp2201801

3 Brenan M. Nurses retain top ethics rating in US. but below 2020 high. Gallup website. Published January 10. 2023. Accessed November 30. 2023. https://news.gallup.com/poll/467804/nurses­retain-top-ethics-rating-below-2020-high.aspx 

5 Reynolds-Tyl us T. Psychological reactance and persuasive health communication: a review of the literature. Front Commun. 2019:4. doi:10.3389/ fcomm.2019.00056 

6 Gardner L, Leshner G. The role of narrative and other-referencing in attenuating psychological reactance to diabetes self-care messages. Health Commun. 2016:31(6):738-751. doi:10.1080/ 10410236.2014.993498

Continuing our Elevate the Profession journey, please join us next week to see the 200th Issue of Practice Growth Insights.

If you feel our weekly Insights may be useful to a colleague, please encourage them to subscribe at:

Practice Growth Insights

Bruce Essman

CEO

High Definition Impressions (HDI)


PracticeGrowthbyDesign.com


bruce@hdimpressions.com



314.276.7392

View Previous Issue by Clicking on Link Below:

COVID-19 2020-03-26 | COVID-19 & Springing Forward

PGI #1 2020-04-02 | Communication Wellness Matters

PGI #2 2020-04-09 | Communication Wellness Starts with Why

PGI #3 2020-04-16 | Comorbidity Education, "Did You Know?"

PGI #4 2020-04-22 | “Diagnose & Treat” Comorbidity Education

PGI #5 2020-04-29 | Guiding Principles of The Art & Science of HealthScapes®

PGI #6 2020-05-06 | Plan for the Other Side

PGI #7 2020-05-13 | Subject Matter Expertise & Social Currency

PGI #8 2020-05-20| Educate Well Monthly & Care to Share Daily

PGI #9 2020-05-27| The Survey Says, Take Science Seriously

PGI #10 2020-06-03 | MD Referrals, Start with the ABC's

PGI #11 2020-06-10 | Going Digital with Omni-Channel Benefits

PGI #12 2020-06-17 | Monthly E-Newsletters, Stay in Touch

PGI #13 2020-06-24 | Wellness Wednesdays, Healthy Habits

PGI #14 2020-07-01 | Get Well Organized, Be an Educational Curator

PGI #15 2020-07-08 | Good Humor, Healthy Hearing

PGI #16 2020-07-15 | Nurturing Campaigns and Automatic Comorbidity Education

PGI #17 2020-07-22 | On the List, Tag You're It

PGI #18 2020-07-29 | Nurturing Campaigns, Go with The Flow

PGI #19 2020-08-05 | "Outsmart, Don't Outspend," The Right Fit

PGI #20 2020-08-12 | Targeted Mail, On Purpose

PGI #21 2020-08-19 | Tech Upgrades, Just What the Doctor Ordered

PGI #22 2020-08-26 | 5Ws of the Core 4 Learn More

PGI #23 2020-09-02 | The Art of Hearing, More Should Know

PGI #24 2020-09-09 | Friends & Family “Share the Joy of Hearing”

PGI #25 2020-09-16 | Your Unique Value Proposition, Pearls of Wisdom

PGI #26 2020-09-23 | Your patients' journey to well-informed decisions

PGI #27 2020-09-30 | Hear the Facts and care to share daily

PGI #28 2020-10-07 | Take the Lead, Start with Why

PGI #29 2020-10-14 | Change is evident. Let's diagnose and treat.

PGI #30 2020-10-21 | Your Local Pride. Let It Show.

PGI #31 2020-10-28 | Tell Your Story, Make It Memorable.

PGI #32 2020-11-04 | The Art of Hearing, Visibility Matters.

PGI #33 2020-11-11 | See the Pathway to Better Hearing

PGI #34 2020-11-18 | Our Experts, the Right Fit

PGI #35 2020-11-25 | Giving Thanks. Electing Gratitude as an Attitude

PGI #36 2020-12-02 | Get 2021 On Schedule and In Mind

PGI #37 2020-12-09 | E-Newsletters, Open Opportunities

PGI #38 2020-12-16 | Targeted Trio for All to See

PGI #39 2020-12-23 | Time to Celebrate, by the Book

PGI #40 2020-12-30 | 2021 For the Better

PGI #41 2021-01-06 | In 2021, HDI+. For the Better

PGI #42 2021-01-13 | More Wellness Referrals. A Resolution.

PGI #43 2021-01-20 | A Super Launch Meeting. Your VIP Ticket.

PGI #44 2021-01-27 | Motivational PCCs: Practice Culture Commitments

PGI #45 2021-02-03 | The Art & Science of HealthScapes® with Just 3 Words

PGI #46 2021-02-10 | In Their Own Words, a PET Project

PGI #47 2021-02-17 | Habit-forming progress is 1% better

PGI #48 2021-02-24 | Make Routine Progress Easy and Satisfying

PGI #49 2021-03-03 | The Art of Customer Service, Be Our Guest

PGI #50 2021-03-10 | Time for R&R (Rewards and Recognition)

PGI #51 2021-03-17 | A Year of Insights, For All to See

PGI #52 2021-03-24 | 3 C's, 1 Purpose. Your Practice Growth by Design.

PGI #53 2021-03-31 | Original Content, On Demand

PGI #54 2021-04-07 | Expert Coaching, Great Sports

PGI #55 2021-04-14 | Base Hits & a Double Play

PGI #56 2021-04-21 | Personalized Care, Think Local

PGI #57 2021-04-28 | The Art of Hearing, Who Knows?

PGI #58 2021-05-05 | Circles of Life, Listen Up

PGI #59 2021-05-12 | Customized Presentation Folders, Lasting Impressions

PGI #60 2021-05-19 | Practice Growth, From the Outside In

PGI#61 2021-05-26 | Physician Referrals, Doctor’s Orders

PGI #62 2021-06-02 | The ABC’s of Physician Referrals

PGI #63 2021-06-09 | Senior Living, The Numbers Speak

PGI #64 2021-06-16 | PEAK Performance, Measured Targets

PGI #65 2021-06-23 | PEAK Performance, High Priorities

PGI #66 2021-06-30 | SLC Growth, Be the Early Bird

PGI #67 2021-07-07 | From Their View, What’s Your Story?

PGI #68 2021-07-14 | An Informative Quartet, All Can Hear

PGI #69 2021-07-21 | Open Opportunities. Did You Know?

PGI #70 2021-07-28 | Educational Presentations, On the Menu

PGI #71 2021-08-04 | Live and Learn. The Curse of Knowledge.

PGI #72 2021-08-11 | To Be Memorable, Stick with It

PGI #73 2021-08-18 | Hearing Health Bingo, We've Got Your #

PGI #74 2021-08-25 | Hearing Health Bingo. Know How.

PGI #75 2021-09-01 | Frontline Staff. Who Can Help?

PGI #76 2021-09-08 | Opportune Invention & Hearing Health Ambassadors.

PGI #77 2021-09-15| Bring Precious Sounds to Life, Justice Served

PGI #78 2021-09-22 | Hearing Health Ambassadors SAVE

PGI #79 2021-09-29 | Hearing Health Ambassadors, Time to Find

PGI #80 2021-10-06 | The Networking Effect, Bringing it Home

PGI #81 2021-10-13 | Healthy Hearing, Good Business.

PGI #82 2021-10-20 | Corporate Wellness Matters

PGI #83 2021-10-27 | Hearing Health Partners, Carefully Funneled

PGI #84 2021-11-03 | Corporate Wellness Programs. How Rewarding.

PGI #85 2021-11-10 | Valuable Benefits, That’s The Story

PGI #86 2021-11-17 | Outside-In Growth, Handy Reference Guide

PGI #87 2021-11-24 | Go-Givers, Inspiring Heroes

PGI #88 2021-12-01 | 2022 Priorities, Ready to Rock.

PGI #89 2021-12-08 | 90 and Counting, Speaks Volumes

PGI #90 2021-12-15 | Educate Well Monthly™, Back to Basics

PGI #91 2021-12-22 | Did You Know? Targeted Trio

PGI #92 2021-12-29 | By the Book, Turning the Page

PGI #93 2022-01-05 | In 2022, Change for the Better

PGI #94 2022-01-12 | Super Practice Culture, The 3 Ts

PGI #95 2022-01-19 | Facebook Features, Wellness Wednesdays

PGI #96 2022-01-26 | Your Competitive Edge. Thankful Ripple Effects.

PGI #97 2022-02-02 | Good Humor, Healthy Hearing

PGI #98 2022-02-09 | Branding Basic$

PGI #99 2022-02-16 | 100th Practice Growth Insights™, @ Your Service

PGI #100 2022-02-23 | Your Practice Growth Insights, Go With The Flow

PGI #101 2022-03-02 | Your Growth OpportUNITY, Search Away

PGI #102 2022-03-09 | Your Practice, Uniquely Better & For Review

PGI #103 2022-03-16 | Your Health Questionnaire, Blue Man Style.

PGI #104 2022-03-23 | Ears Collect, Brains Connect™

PGI #105 2022-03-30 | 9 Facts, 1 Goal. Dementia Awareness.

PGI #106 2022-04-06 | Peer-Reviewed Success, Lead The Way

PGI #107 2022-04-13 | Knowledge Itself. Omni-Channel Works

PGI #108 2022-04-20 | Educational Architecture, Form Ever Follows Function

PGI #109 2022-04-27 | Grow Physician Referrals, Don’t be $alesy!

PGI #110 2022-05-04 | Hear the Fax™, Stay in Touch

PGI #111 2022-05-11 | E-Newsletter Nurturing = Healthy Growth.

PGI #112 2022-05-18 | Dementia Awareness Contagion & Social Currency

PGI #113 2022-05-25 | Dementia Education, The Lancet Journal Speaks

PGI #114 2022-06-01 | Modify Dementia Risk, Be Accountable.

PGI #115 2022-06-08 | By the Book, We Promise

PGI #116 2022-06-15 | Hearing Loss Prevention, A Sense of Urgency

PGI #117 2022-06-22 | Safer Soundscapes, Sustainable Hearing™

PGI #118 2022-06-29 | Safer Soundscapes, Sounds Risky, By the Number

PGI #119 2022-07-06 | Taking Care of Ears in the Teenage Years

PGI #120 2022-07-13 | Hear the Facts About NIHL

PGI #121 2022-07-20 | NIHL Collection & Just Saying Thanks

PGI #122 2022-07-27 | High Performance, Cognitive Decline

PGI #123 2022-08-03 | Cognitive Decisions, In Mind

PGI #124 2022-08-10 | Pearls of Wisdom™, Trustworthy Information

PGI #125 2022-08-17 | Keep Your Educational Tools, In Mind

PGI #126 2022-08-24 | OTC Hearing Aids, Healthy Choices

PGI #127 2022-08-31 | OTC Hearing Aids. Mild Concerns, Profound Opportunities.

PGI #128 2022-09-07 | OTC is for Over-the-Counter. R is for Resilience.

PGI #129 2022-09-14 | Best Practices, How Many Lives?

PGI #130 2022-09-21 | Products & Services, New On-Ramps?

PGI #131 2022-09-28 | Service Delivery Duo, For the Future

PGI #132 2022-10-05 | OTC, Open to Counseling. By Definition.

PGI #133 2022-10-12 | Radical Transparency. Candid Conversations

PGI #134 2022-10-19 | Candid Conversations, All About It

PGI #135 2022-10-26 | OTC HA. Ask Us, Learn More.™

PGI #136 2022-11-02 | OTC HA Guiding Principles → 8 Words

PGI #137 2022-11-09 | Got Hearing?™, A Choice Matter

PGI #138 2022-11-16 | Got Hearing?™, A Primary Care

PGI #139 2022-11-23 | Attitude of Gratitude, Gifts of Hearing

PGI #140 2022-11-30 | Your Top Docs, Get A Round Tuit

PGI #141 2022-12-07 | Gifts of Hearing, Team Efforts

PGI #142 2022-12-14 | 2023, A Sense of Optimism.

PGI #143 2022-12-21 | Customized or Commoditized, Experience the Difference.

PGI #144 2022-12-28 | 2023 Success, Let’s Resolve.

PGI #145 2023-01-04 | 2023 Planning, In Review.

PGI #146 2023-01-11 | Powerful Moments, Remarkable Impact

PGI #147 2023-01-18 | Elevate Positives, 9X Better

PGI #148 2023-01-25 | Get Insights, Tripping Over Truth

PGI #149 2023-02-01 | Be Proud, Multiply Milestones

PGI #150 2023-02-08 | Healthy Connections, What Matters

PGI #151 2023-02-15 | Super Goals & Winning Ways

PGI #152 2023-02-22 | Mutual Understanding, Speaks My Language

PGI #153 2023-03-01 | Health Literacy, All-Inclusive.

PGI #154 2023-03-08 | To Help More People, Speak Their Language

PGI #155 2023-03-15 | Educational Climate, Change For the Better

PGI #156 2023-03-22 | Multilingual Marketing, Just Keep Nurturing

PGI #157 2023-03-29 | Good Humor, Healthy Hearing

PGI #158 2023-04-05 | Healthy Awareness, Made to Stick™

PGI #159 2023-04-12 | Clear Views, Made to Stick™

PGI #160 2023-04-19 | Brand Awareness, Made to Stick™

PGI #161 2023-04-26 | Motivational Messages, Made to Stick™

PGI #162 2023-05-03 | Better Growth, Outsmart, Don't Outspend

PGI #163 2023-05-10 | Better Time, Better Ways

PGI #164 2023-05-17 | Internal Locus of Control, Just Makes Sense

PGI #165 2023-05-24 | Center of Excellence, Educationally So

PGI #166 2023-05-31 | Dementia Awareness, Join the Fight

PGI #167 2023-06-07 | The Longest Day, An Opportune Catalyst

PGI #168 2023-06-14 | Dual Sensory Loss & Dementia, What Research Indicates

PGI #169 2023-06-21 | Positively Contagious, Virtuous Cycles

PGI #170 2023-06-28 | Outsmart, Don’t Outspend, Déjà vu

PGI #171 2023-07-05 | LVOPS: Lifetime Value of Patient Service

PGI #172 2023-07-12 | E-Newsletters Trending, What's Up?

PGI #173 2023-07-19 | Educational Engagement, Simply Better

PGI #174 2023-07-26 | Wellness Wednesdays, Facebook Fun

PGI #175 2023-08-02 | Facebook and Instagram, Dynamic Duo

PGI #176 2023-08-09 | Social Media Architecture, What's the Plan?

PGI #177 2023-08-16 | Be Social, By Design

PGI #178 2023-08-23 | Is 3rd Party 1st Priority? Caveat Emptor.

PGI #179 2023-08-30 | TPA Paradigm Shift, Which Way's Best?

PGI #180 2023-09-06 | From TPA to OTC HA, Timely Reflection

PGI #181 2023-09-13 | Mass Merchant Disruption, By Comparison

PGI #182 2023-09-20 | Strong 2023 Finish? Get Motivated.

PGI #183 2023-09-27 | Fresh Starts, (Better) Time for Change

PGI #184 2023-10-04 | Timely Change Talk. That’s Better.

PGI #185 2023-10-11 | Motivate Outcomes, Recognize Excellence

PGI #186 2023-10-18 | 2024’s Success Plans, Start Early

PGI #187 2023-10-25 | 2024 Practice Growth, What’s Your Story?

PGI #188 2023-11-01 | Subject Matter Expertise, Eye on Success

PGI #189 2023-11-08 | Set Expectations Wisely, Plainly Speaking

PGI #190 2023-11-15 | From Intake to Outcomes, Be Happy to Hear

PGI #191 2023-11-22 | Your Quality Care, Giving Thanks

PGI #192 2023-11-29 | Your 2024 Practice Growth, Doctor’s Orders

PGI #193 2023-12-06 | With a Sense of Optimism, Be AUTHENTIC

PGI #194 2023-12-13 | 2024 Physician Referrals, Medical Model Excellence

PGI #195 2023-12-20 | Medical Model = Competitive Advantages

PGI #196 2023-12-27 | A Year of Insights, As Promised

PGI #197 2024-01-03 | Strategies to Improve Medical Communication, Let’s JAMA

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