558. Beyond the Script: Ben Whybrow on Redefining Communication and Connection in Healthcare

What happens when we stop treating communication as a soft skill and start recognizing it as the core of effective patient care? In this episode, I talk with UK-based physio and medical communication educator Ben Whybrow about why connection, tone, and storytelling matter more than ever in healthcare. Ben shares how his journey through persistent pain care and teaching at Cambridge Medical School led him to a powerful realization: if your patient doesn’t feel heard, your plan won’t work. We dive deep into motivational interviewing, emotional intelligence, the parallels between sales and healthcare, and why open-ended questions are the real clinical superpower. Ben also unpacks the cultural shift toward more psychologically informed care, and how students and seasoned clinicians alike can improve outcomes by asking better questions. This episode is packed with insight, perspective, and plenty of British charm.

🔗 Learn More About Our Guest At:

🌐 Clinical Communication Podcast
🐦 Twitter/X: @bwhybrowphysio
📸 Instagram: @bwhybrowphysio


📚 Resources Mentioned:

Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Cambridge University Communication Skills Training
EDGE Mobility System

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