Talking...about Talking
We're constantly told to "talk to your doctor", but do we?
KFF (Jan 2025).
KFF Prescription Drug Advertisements Poll
Levy AG, et al. (2018) Prevalence of and Factors Associated With Patient Nondisclosure... JAMA Netw Open.
(2015 MTurk nonprobability sample; n=2,011 analyzed)
KFF (Jan 2025).
KFF Prescription Drug Advertisements Poll
These stats don't prove that "talk to your doctor" is a bad call-to-action. But they do suggest that it's incomplete—and that we need to rethink what we're asking people to do.
The
Pitfall
of
l
[Click to Replay]
​–the value of a patient-provider centered relationship
–how different communication styles influence our conversations
–how to better prepare for and engage in medication-related conversations
–creating and delivering evidence-based medication messaging and support services​
–communication strategies for addressing medication access and adherence issues
Our goal is to foster the type of pluckiness that empowers patients to say...
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The challenge isn't just whether a message was delivered. It's what each person assumes the others understand, want, fear, or will do next. That's where The Plucky Patient comes in. We're here to deliver easy-to-understand explanations and supportive services that address concepts most likely to change the way we think and act.​​ This includes topics such as:
differently about how our medication-related assumptions and expectation gaps impact the way we interpret calls-to-action and interact with each other.​
It's important for all of us–patients, providers, pharma–to think ​
Yes! I will talk to my doctor about that new medication today.​​
...and again when I have a question about it after I start taking it
...and if I'm not sure the side effect I'm having is related to it
...and whether I can stop taking it because I'm feeling better
...and if I should take it with these new supplements
The medication conversation doesn't end when the prescription begins.
About
Timothy Barshinger, PhD
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Tim has spent his career studying and improving how people communicate about healthcare and medication, with particular expertise at the intersection of patients, healthcare professionals, and life-science organizations.
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He has a doctorate in Health Communication with a focus in patient-provider interpersonal relationships. He also holds a Master’s degree in Education. Over the last fifteen years, he's used his skills for researching, designing, deploying, and evaluating evidence-based strategies and services for patients, providers, and pharma. His approach is grounded in data and insights, behavioral science principles and meaningful storytelling.
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Tim has worked for large and small organizations that provide health and life science products, services, and content. He has delivered impactful projects for patients, pharma, healthcare providers, biotech, government, and academia. He looks forward to working with you in nurturing pluckier healthcare communication.​
