May 23, 2025

Why true listening is crucial for future health care professionals

Certified coach Kathleen Muldoon discusses her article, "." She recounts a poignant experience observing a health care student disengaged during a powerful presentation by a mother sharing her life as a caregiver to children with disabilities....

Certified coach Kathleen Muldoon discusses her article, " The cost of presence: a lesson in listening ." She recounts a poignant experience observing a health care student disengaged during a powerful presentation by a mother sharing her life as a caregiver to children with disabilities. Kathleen, who is also a medical school faculty member and mother to a child with complex health needs, reflects on the immense value of such shared stories for interprofessional students and the "cost of presence" willingly paid by these community educators. The conversation delves into the critical need for future health care professionals to cultivate presence, active listening, and empathy, even amidst academic pressures. Kathleen emphasizes that while technical skills are vital, truly seeing and hearing patients is foundational to compassionate and effective care. The key takeaway is: Medical education must actively foster an environment where students learn to honor patient narratives and engage with genuine human connection, as these qualities are as indispensable as clinical knowledge for the future of health care.

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