How to Build Rapport With Patients: 5 Best Practices

From the moment that healthcare professionals begin their education and training, they’re constantly asked to reflect on how to “build rapport” with patients. The foundational concept of building rapport (meaning, the connection that allows for a productive relationship) is often as integral to better patient outcomes as safety and practice standards.

But, what does “building rapport” mean in the healthcare setting specifically, and how do you establish it when patients’ length of stay is limited to a day (or less)? In this article, you’ll learn the importance of this relational approach to care, alongside best practices for establishing (and maintaining) this essential connection. Equipped with these practical strategies for better patient rapport, you can provide the person-centered care that drives experience-based satisfaction for patients and staff alike.

Building Rapport With Patients: Meaning and Overview

Before discussing how to build rapport with patients in healthcare settings, let’s start with a more general intent to “build rapport” (meaning, its definition across social situations). Rapport is broadly defined as a harmonious relationship that helps make communication more effective. In healthcare, this allows for true understanding of the therapeutic process, which deepens trust and patient engagement.

Rapport is established during the first interaction that a provider has with a patient, and is continuously strengthened throughout the course of the relationship. According to experts, there are three main factors that help build rapport.

The Importance of Establishing a Rapport With Patients

Building rapport is essential for maintaining trust and therapeutic relationships with patients. When patients feel that their providers are taking the time to understand them, they’re able to more openly and honestly communicate their thoughts. This can improve shared decision-making and facilitate the delivery of person-centered care. Research has even highlighted how this can lead to positive care outcomes, such as increased patient satisfaction, improved quality of life, and better treatment adherence.

How to Build Rapport With a Patient: 5 Best Practices

While building rapport with patients (nursing-specific) feels intuitive — maybe, even obvious to some — it takes time and effort (not to mention practice) to build those strong relationships within limited windows of interaction. The following five best practices will help you learn how to build rapport with patients quickly and effectively.

1. Give a Strong Welcome

Patients are often placed in vulnerable situations, so first impressions can mean a lot. Upon meeting a health professional, a patient may immediately begin to question whether they can really trust and rely on them to advocate for their needs.

This can be especially true for patients who may have encountered discrimination before (like those suffering from mental health disorders). The wariness they may feel upon another admission clearly demonstrates the importance of building rapport with mental health patients (and others at high risk for health disparities), as early as possible.

Giving a strong welcome during the first interaction is a crucial first step. While these may seem like simple acts, greeting the patient with a smile and remembering their name (and their family members’ names) often leaves a lasting impression. Here are a few other ways to help you start off on the right foot:

• Ask for permission before touching patients.
• Offer the patient and their family tea or water.
• Match the vocabulary used by your patients.

2. Take Extra Time to Connect as Human Beings

While it’s important to remain professional, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should always shy away from small talk. Connecting with your patients on a more personal level is an important way to demonstrate empathy and understanding. In fact, it often facilitates strongerpatient rapport through authenticity and mutual connection.

Take a few extra minutes to ask your patients more about themselves, if they’d like to share, and don’t be afraid to elaborate on points of common ground. Consider adding some light-hearted humor into your interactions (where appropriate), which can help your patients feel more at ease and allow them to open up more as time goes on.

3. Encourage Two-Way Conversations

Whether you’re learning how to build rapport with pediatric patients or adults, active listening is one of the most crucial skills for building respect and trust. After relaying or delivering information, it’s always important to give your patients the time they need to share their thoughts or ask questions. This ensures that you’re having two-way conversations and actively involving your patients in their plan of care.

4. Practice Your Non-Verbal Communication

As a healthcare professional, what you don’t say is just as important as what you do say. Body language and facial expressions can convey a lot to patients, so be aware of how you’re coming across through your non-verbal communication. Here are a few ways that you can help your patients feel more safe and at ease, even when you’re not speaking:

• Make eye contact when having a conversation with patients.
• Match the patient’s eye level to avoid conveying a condescending attitude.
• Maintain an open and welcoming posture (e.g., avoid crossing your arms).

5. Bring Your Heart Into Your Work

Fundamentally, patient rapport also requires a genuine desire for connection from the clinician. Remember to bring your heart into your work, and really try to place yourself in your patient’s shoes. Think about what can help them in each moment and remain approachable, encouraging, and respectful. It’s also important to be authentic with your patients, even if this means admitting you don’t know something or that you’ve made a mistake.

Discover More Ways to Deliver Patient-Centered Care

Learning how to build rapport with patients is one of many steps you can take to promote better health outcomes. Looking for more ways to enhance the patient experience? Get additional free, expert-written healthcare insights, delivered straight to your inbox.