Takeaway
When caring for patients, listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and partner with them to achieve better health outcomes.
Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence | January 16, 2026 | 2 min read
By Jeffrey Smith, MD, SurgeonMasters.com
In an era of escalating clinical demands, shrinking visit times, and unprecedented levels of burnout, the quality of the patient–clinician connection is under unprecedented strain. A coaching mindset—rooted in active listening, powerful questions, and accountability—offers us a framework to strengthen patient relationships, restore professional fulfillment, and improve outcomes.
The coaching mindset
The International Coaching Federation defines the coaching mindset as “open-minded, curious, flexible, and client-centered.” The purpose of coaching isn’t to tell someone what to do, but to help them achieve their goals on their own terms through reflection, planning, and action. This approach makes growth relevant, sustainable, and personal.
When we incorporate coaching skills into patient interactions, we move beyond delivering care to truly partnering with patients in their care. This strengthens connections, engagement, and health outcomes. Here are the four core competencies of coaching that strengthen patient connections and support outcomes.
1. Cultivate trust and safety.
At the foundation of effective coaching and patient care is trust. Coaching skills help us partner with patients to create a safe, supportive environment where patients feel comfortable sharing openly. This mutual respect and trust allows patients to express concerns, fears, and goals that may otherwise remain unspoken. When patients feel heard and respected, they’re more likely to engage meaningfully in their care.
2. Listen actively.
Active listening goes beyond hearing words. It involves focusing on what the patient is saying and also not saying, to fully understand their experience within the context of their life and support systems.
Skills such as reflecting emotions, paraphrasing, and summarizing without judgment or attachment enhance understanding for both healthcare professionals and patients. The goal is not to solve the problem for them, but to help patients think, process, and problem-solve in a way that supports their autonomy.
3. Evoke awareness.
Coaching encourages insight through powerful questioning, intentional silence, metaphor, or analogy. These techniques help patients explore their beliefs, motivations, and barriers more deeply. By asking thoughtful questions rather than offering immediate solutions, clinicians can encourage patients to develop insight and take an active role in shaping their treatment and recovery.
4. Facilitate growth.
Ultimately, coaching is about transforming insight into action. Developing coaching skills help us partner with patients to identify next steps that feel achievable and meaningful to them. This approach promotes patient autonomy and ownership. The goal is to encourage ownership of action steps and recovery.
Partnering with patients
Coaching skills don’t replace medical expertise—they enhance it. By fostering trust, listening deeply, encouraging insight, and supporting patient-driven action, healthcare professionals can forge stronger relationships with patients and help them achieve better outcomes. In doing so, we don’t just treat injuries or conditions—we support people on their journey toward healing, growth, and recovery. That is exceptional care.
Finally, I’ve developed a system to manage the ups and downs of being a performance-driven clinician in a demanding career: The 8 “PRACTICEs” of Highly Successful Surgeons, a coaching methodology that addresses communication, leadership, time/life management, and more.
This piece expresses the views solely of the author. It does not necessarily represent the views of any organization, including Johns Hopkins Medicine.