Takeaway
Playing professional soccer taught me more about medicine than I expected. The sport honed my ability to listen and collaborate with teammates—skills that translate directly to working with care teams and patients.
Connecting with patients | June 17, 2026 | 2 min read
By Diane Ghanem, MD, MPH, Creighton University
As I was wrapping up a clinical encounter, I asked, “Do you have any other questions?” The patient, who I’d seen a few times before, beamed at me and said, “None! You have a clear and simple way of explaining things. Thanks for always being so attentive.”
As a former professional soccer player for the Lebanese Women’s National Teams, playing soccer improved my communication skills immensely. It’s also been a fundamental building block in shaping the person and doctor I am today. It instilled traits that fueled my drive to succeed as a doctor and future surgeon.
Here are a few lesser-known soccer skills that never fail to come in handy when caring for patients:
1. Observe your surroundings.
In soccer, keeping your head up when dribbling is important. It allows you to continuously scan the field, identify your teammates, and see potential goal opportunities.
When you enter the patient’s room, scan your surroundings. Observe their facial expressions and register the necessary cues to tailor your care. Scan the room for tissues and nearby chairs to sit next to your patient.
2. Listen.
“Pass it! I’m with you, on the line!” If you don’t listen to your teammates, you won’t be able to attend to their needs and create the right breaks for the team.
Similarly, in medicine, most of your history-taking comes from listening closely to your patients. It’s less about the checklist and more about the story they tell while you ask the right questions. The diagnosis is often in the patient’s history. Take the time to listen.
3. Communicate.
Successful soccer teams have a well-established friendly and constructive environment that promotes communication. At the beginning of the season, the coaching staff sets the objectives for the league. Players communicate their concerns and then goals are refined accordingly.
In the hospital, the clinician and patient are a team. Patients need to feel safe to share their concerns. Then you can make a plan together.
If you want your team to win, scan the room, listen to the patient, and meticulously craft and communicate patient-specific care.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.