As part of its ongoing commitment to patient-centered care, the Office of Campus and Community Partnerships has expanded its Effective Patient Communication Training to clinical staff across the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) healthcare network.
Previously reserved for students, the training was introduced to clinical staff for
the first time earlier this month across PCOM's Healthcare Centers. Attendees included doctors, nurses, physician assistants, medical assistants, technicians
and administrative staff—essential team members who play a vital role in shaping the
patient experience from the very first interaction.
Rooted in the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) core competencies—Patient Care,
Interpersonal and Communication Skills, and Professionalism—the training equips healthcare
providers with the tools to communicate clearly, respectfully and compassionately
with individuals from all backgrounds.
Designed to be both engaging and interactive, the session incorporates real-world clinical scenarios and peer discussion, providing hands-on practice and actionable strategies. Participants are given guidance on providing respectful, person-centered language, exploring key principles of effective communication, and applying those principles in clinical settings.
“Effective communication is essential to high-quality care,” said Alicia Hahn, MS, director of program initiatives in the Office of Campus and Community Partnerships. “By expanding this training to our clinical teams, we’re helping create health care environments where every patient feels seen, heard and respected.”
A central focus of the training is helping clinicians adopt language that is accurate, respectful and culturally aware. This approach reduces stigmatization, fosters cultural humility, and strengthens provider-patient relationships through greater trust and understanding. It also plays a critical role in mitigating health disparities and encourages empathy and awareness of varied patient experiences.
“I left the training thinking differently about how small language choices can make a big difference in how respected and seen a patient feels,” said Tiffany Flloyd, system administrator at PCOM Healthcenters. “The training was a powerful reminder that how we speak to patients and people can shape how they feel about their care or themselves and that putting the person before the condition helps build trust, dignity and respect in every interaction.”
Additional sessions are planned throughout the year as PCOM continues to advance patient care and professional development across its clinical and academic environments.
Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
For general media inquiries, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 215-871-6300 or communications@pcom.edu. Visit our media relations page to view contact information for public relations personnel.
Gabrielle DePietro
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: gabrielde2@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304
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