Author Archives: Helane Fronek

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About Helane Fronek

Over the past 28 years I have had a fascinating and fulfilling career in medicine, initially practicing as a general internist and then as a procedural specialist, caring for patients with vein disorders. As Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at UC- San Diego School of Medicine, I’m thrilled to be teaching medical students crucial communication skills along with many other aspects involved in the practice of medicine.

Pave the way – a big benefit for teammates and patients

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Helane Fronek

A medical assistant brings a patient into a room. Then, the physician enters. Perhaps a technician follows to perform a test. A nurse might be the last person the patient interacts with, explaining the treatment and followup plan. It can … Continue reading →

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There’s power in word placement

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Helane Fronek

Have you ever noticed that two people can hear the same words and have very different interpretations of what was said? We respond to our world on the basis of our experience and our expectations, so it’s not uncommon that … Continue reading →

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Revel in, and don’t ignore, the richness of diversity

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Helane Fronek

Summer is here! For many of us, it’s a time of year when we travel and experience places and cultures that are different and exciting. As we see other parts of the country and the world, we are reminded that … Continue reading →

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The sounds – and shame – of silence

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Helane Fronek

“Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.” – Fyodor Dostoyevsky We all worry about things we say – have we hurt someone’s feelings? Spoken too harshly? Been too sarcastic? I would argue that … Continue reading →

Posted in building relationship with patients, effective communication in healthcare, honesty in medical care, physician coaching, physician communication, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Get credit for what you do

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Helane Fronek

In the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof Tevye asks his wife, Golde, that very important question: “Do you love me?” Golde replies: “Do I love you? For twenty-five years I’ve washed your clothes Cooked your meals, cleaned your house … Continue reading →

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Want change? Lighten up.

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Helane Fronek

As physicians, we frequently want our patients to change. We tell them to exercise more, eat differently, take their medications regularly, stop smoking. We explain why they should change, draw pictures, tell stories, cite literature. Our patients agree they will … Continue reading →

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Watch your language – literally. Physician coaching helps doctors communicate with more than words

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Helane Fronek

Doctors feature prominently in many movies, but perhaps nowhere as pointedly as in the 1991 movie, The Doctor. In this film, William Hurt plays Dr. McKee, a busy cardiothoracic surgeon who prides himself solely on his surgical skills and emotion-free … Continue reading →

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Just one thing

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Helane Fronek

In the hilarious Billy Crystal movie, City Slickers, the old cowboy Curly tells Billy that each person has one thing that really gives their life meaning. Sometimes, it only takes one thing to make the difference between feeling lost and … Continue reading →

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The opposite is also true – physician coaching allows the greater truth to emerge

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Helane Fronek

Someone recently told me about a bumper sticker that read, THE OPPOSITE IS ALSO TRUE. I love how that simple concept can open up whole new perspectives in our thinking. We are frequently so confident that our ideas are right … Continue reading →

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What am I missing?

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Helane Fronek

As part of a second year medical school course that I’m involved in, I recently attended a panel discussion on LGBT health issues. I consider myself fairly sensitive to cross-cultural issues that impact medical practice, and since I know several … Continue reading →

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