Ways to Talk with Your Doctor

Health communication is a two-way conversation. Patients and their healthcare providers must communicate in ways the other can understand. In this consumer workshop, Helen Osborne teaches practical tips that patients and their families can use to communicate more clearly with all healthcare providers. This presentation works well for a wide range of consumer audiences including senior centers, libraries, and community health education programs. It is usually 1-hour long and sometimes paired with Helen's presentations for health professionals.

Topics include:

  • Why health information is hard to understand 
  • What patients and their families need to talk about  
  • Ways patients can communicate better with health providers

Helen Osborne is an expert who speaks professionally. She is long-time member of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and a board member of NSA's chapter in New England. Helen is an experienced and dynamic speaker who makes health literacy concepts come alive with stories, pictures, examples, and humor. She not only teaches lots of how-to information but also inspires audiences to make a long-lasting health literacy difference.

Helen takes the time to learn what makes each audience special. She will: 

  • Tailor presentations to your format. Whether you are looking for a 1-hour keynote, half- or full-day workshop, panel presentation, or round-table discussion, Helen will adapt her presentation to meet your needs. Groups often combine formats such as a keynote followed by a workshop, or a workshop followed by a round-table discussion.
  • Focus on your specific needs. Helen takes the time to learn about you and your organization. This way, she can tailor presentations to meet your specific learning needs. Helen does this by asking groups to complete a Pre-Program Questionnaire (PPQ) and then talking with 2 - 3 people likely to attend. 
  • Provide a master copy of her handout. Helen's handouts are much more than just a collection of slides. Her handouts are filled with valuable information that participants can, and do, refer to long after Helen's presentations end.
  • Offer, or help arrange for, discounts when purchasing multiple copies of her books: Health Literacy from A to Z: Practical Ways to Communicate Your Health Message; Health Literacy Handbook: The Event Planning Guide for Health Literacy Advocates; Podcasting Guide: A Little About Technology, A Lot About Getting Started With Audio Interviews. 
  • Work with you to obtain continuing education credits. This includes providing a timed agenda with specific behavioral objectives, along with Helen's CV.
  • Help promote your event. Helen will gladly review your marketing materials and be available for radio and television interviews.
  • Follow-up and offer ongoing support. Helen not only introduces ideas and skills but also helps participants implement what they learned. One way she does this is with a a complementary follow-up conference call for workshop attendees.

"Helen Osborne recently spoke at our Senior Center. Given that her audience was seniors, she clearly had to practice what she preaches. Helen communicated clearly in understandable terms, lay terms, respected and accounted for her audiences' limitation in hearing and sight, supported their need to ask questions and seek clarification, and demonstrated genuine interest and empathy to each participant. I highly recommend that Helen speak with other senior organizations about this timely and very pertinent topic." Deborah Arsenault OTR/L, Director of the Millis Council on Aging

To learn more and schedule a presentation, email Helen Osborne at Helen@healthliteracy.com or call 508-653-1199.