Course Outline

Communication’s Impact on Patient Experiences and Outcomes
Lona Cook, DC, Author and National Speaker Lona Cook

Hour 1: Awareness of Non-Verbal Communication Skills Internally and Externally in a Family Chiropractic Practice

  • Important NV communication to establish rapport and convey interest, acknowledgement, and empathy 
  • Posture and presence (tone/ energy) 
  • Body Language and body positioning, engagement 

Hour 2: Communication Skills within the TEAM for best outcomes and outreach. **Discussion around the importance of all team members communication to patients engagement and outcomes to care 

  • Favorable communication has been linked to positive outcomes, practice member satisfaction, adherence to care plan, and better objective physical outcomes. 

  • Inadequate communication linked to practice member dissatisfaction, non comprehending care plan, non adherence, underutilization of resources. 
  • Outcomes of Positive Communication Experiences. 
  • Fostering the relationship- fosters trust, helps create a sense of partnership. 
  • Higher quality of care. 
  • Enhanced patient adherence- feel more in control and responsible, more motivated to change and adhere to care plan, and engage in more information- seeing behaviors. 
    • *important for us all to understand who actually does the healing! 
  • Satisfaction/Wow Factor- reduced feelings of vulnerability, relieves pain, stress, patient feels supported, cared for valued and welcomed. 

    • Patients want to be known. Seen. Understood.  This is a critical part of establishing rapport. 

Hour 3: Strategic communications to increase care adherence and understanding with members/patients of the practice.  

  • Now that we have awareness of our non-verbal communication, how do we lead the practice members to meeting their goals and engaging in their best care for their lifestyle. Discussion on doctor-patient roles, goals, and care.  

Bio

Dr. Lona Cook grew up in Chippewa Falls and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison as well as Northwestern Health Sciences University for her Doctorate of Chiropractic where she graduated in the top of her class.

She loves helping people through the power of chiropractic and teaching them about their innate ability to heal! She has a strong passion to communicate the benefits of proactive care and help families take active roles in their own health.  For the past 12 years, Dr. Lona has helped thousands of people regain health by working with the bodies power to heal and chiropractic care.  

Dr. Lona is also on the state association board and speaks nationally many weekends of the year spreading the message of better living through chiropractic care. Dr. Lona lives with her husband, Kyle and sons, Jack & Max, on Lake Wissota.  They love being close to family in the beautiful Chippewa Valley.  

Back to Speakers