Berman - Figure 17 - Effective Communication: Your Style Text

Berman - Figure 17 - Effective Communication: Your Style

When you are talking with your patients, make it work in your style.  Be clear and deliberate.  There are basic messages to deliver.  You may take a few minutes during breast exams to talk about HPV testing and cervical cancer screening.  

In terms of the right time for pre- and post-screening test counseling, I prefer that women understand before they get a positive HPV test what it means to be HPV positive.

Tie your message to her level of education, and her desire to know what’s going on.  I can usually tell when my patient is interested in knowing more or less detail.