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56 seconds to connect with your patient

On average, it takes 56 seconds to connect with a patient. Hear Press Ganey senior executives discuss how simple it can be to make that lasting connection and how the connection changes the experience of the patient and the caregiver.

Video Summary

The discussion revolves around the importance of Compassionate Connected Care® in healthcare settings. The speakers acknowledge the current state in healthcare of depersonalizing relationships with patients, but suggest that it doesn't have to be that way. They highlight the long-term benefits of establishing connections with patients. They refute the common pushback of time constraints by presenting research that shows it takes only 56 seconds to make a connection, and the entire conversation rarely exceeds two minutes. These brief interactions significantly impact the patient experience and also benefit caregivers and clinicians.

They explain that these connections enhance job satisfaction for caregivers and create a sense of safety and care for patients. Finding a connection can be achieved easily by asking patients about their interests outside of the medical setting.

By discovering common ground with patients, healthcare providers can establish rapport and create meaningful conversations unrelated to the patient's health condition, resulting in a positive experience for both parties involved. This approach aligns with the concept of Compassionate Connected Care, which emphasizes the importance of Human Experience healthcare.

Video Transcript

James Merlino, MD
Former Chief Transformation Officer

We've done a very good job in medicine in depersonalizing our relationships with patients, but it doesn't need to be that way.


Christina Dempsey, MSN
Former Chief Nursing Officer

And it actually helps you in the long run. And, you know, it doesn't take that long to do it. That's always the pushback. “I don't have time to spend 15 minutes with every patient,” too many patients, too much to do. 

We've done the research. It takes 56 seconds to make a connection with the patient, and the entire conversation has never in thousands of demonstrations in practice and in front of audiences it has never taken longer than two minutes. And it completely changes the experience of the patient and for the people who are taking care of patients. 

Deirdre Mylod, PHD
Former SVP Research and Analytics

It makes your job as a caregiver and clinician far more satisfying because you can see your patient relax, you can see your patient feel safe and feel cared about. That 56 seconds assures them that we've got your back and we're caring about you not just about what's going on with your health.

Joe Cabral, MS
Former Chief Human Resources Officer

It's such a simple message, right? 56 seconds. But I'm sure it requires a lot of work or does it?

Christina Dempsey, MSN
Former Chief Nursing Officer

It doesn't require a lot of work because I can find a connection with you just by saying, ”You know what Joe, when you're not in the hospital or when you're not in the doctor's office, what do you like to do?” And you will tell me something about your family or your job or your hobbies and I can find something that will let me connect with you and then from now on we have a lot to talk about that has nothing to do with the reason you're in care. And it changes your experience and mine.