204. Doctors' Words & Healing with Dr. Chrissie Ott

In this episode, Alejandra Siroka speaks with Dr. Chrissie Ott, a physician leader, board-certified in internal medicine, pediatrics, integrative medicine, and obesity medicine, and an ICF-certified coach.

Together, they explore the role that language, presence, and relationship play in healthcare, and how the words used between physicians and patients can either create connection or contribute to disconnection.

Chrissie reflects on her experiences as both a physician and a patient, including how language such as “non-compliant” or “failed treatment” can reveal assumptions about the physician-patient relationship. Alejandra and Chrissie discuss moving beyond a top-down model of care toward communication grounded in curiosity, informed choice, dignity, empathy, and respect. They also explore how cultural assumptions and biases can influence the way healthcare providers communicate with patients, particularly multicultural patients and those who speak languages other than English.

Throughout their conversation, Alejandra and Chrissie explore what becomes possible when healthcare providers bring their full presence and humanity into the room, even when they have only a few minutes with a patient.

Chrissie shares how mindfulness, empathic listening, positive regard, curiosity, and relational care can support more meaningful interactions, while Alejandra reflects on the communication skills that can help healthcare professionals navigate conflict, recognize bias, and relate to each patient as a whole human being.

Quotes
“Nobody's a villain in this situation. But the behaviors, they deserve to be thought about. The communication approaches, they deserve to slow down and be r- Like, what is it you are hoping to get out of this visit today?” (Chrissie Ott)

“Conflicts don't have to be a battle. They can be an opportunity for connection. They can be an opportunity for curiosity and finding out what could work, what we could do differently, how we could collaborate in a deeper way.” (Alejandra Siroka)

“Being in connection with another human and noticing how they are a delight makes medicine so much more fun than the drudgery of, ‘I have to go do this admission and this task again.’ Instead, it's like, ‘No, let's go talk to this human being and learn their story.’” (Chrissie Ott)

“If all you have is seven minutes, in seven minutes, I think, as you're saying, if you are embodied, if you are present, you can have empathy, you can have curiosity, you can move away from judgment and more into observations.” (Alejandra Siroka)

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Podcast Music composed by Gary Lapow: open.spotify.com/artist/1HlMhcNfKIELxYil5mVqD