Clinical Cases Podcast Series-FREE NO CME-Provider Resources: Patient Communication Skills

Provider Resources: Patient Communication Skills

Pdf Summary

The “Compass Opioid Prescribing Treatment Guidance Toolkit” provider resource highlights the growing need for physicians and advanced practice providers—especially in primary care—to strengthen patient communication skills. This need is heightened when caring for high-risk populations such as patients on chronic opioid therapy or other controlled substances. The document emphasizes that effective communication is critical for conveying treatment plans, discussing alternative therapies, validating patient concerns, and building a therapeutic relationship. It underscores the importance of active listening and shared decision-making, noting that these skills are often not fully taught in formal education and typically require additional training and practice.<br /><br />To support skill development, the toolkit lists resources focused on communication strategies, motivational interviewing, and de-escalation techniques. Free online resources include guidance on counseling patients in primary care, motivational interviewing to support behavior change (including for opioid use disorder), managing incivility and de-escalating difficult encounters (including Joint Commission materials), and a CDC module on communicating with patients receiving chronic opioid therapy. It also identifies paid/subscription resources such as a Cochrane review on motivational interviewing for substance abuse and motivational interviewing guides for trainees and clinical practice. In addition, it points to formal motivational interviewing training courses.<br /><br />The toolkit directs users to a separate “Patient Resources” tab for patient-facing educational materials. A disclaimer notes the material was prepared by the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative under contract with CMS, does not necessarily reflect CMS/HHS policy, and does not imply endorsement of any specific products or entities. The resource was developed in collaboration with Stader Opioid Consultants.

Keywords

opioid prescribing

patient communication

primary care

motivational interviewing

shared decision-making

chronic opioid therapy

de-escalation techniques

active listening

controlled substances

therapeutic relationship