The Healthcare Conversations We’re Still Afraid to Have
Updated: Sep 26
We talk about pregnancy. We talk about birth. We talk about the baby.
But what happens to the woman afterwards?
Pelvic floor health, incontinence, pain, and postpartum recovery remain surprisingly difficult subjects to discuss. At the same time, another essential part of healthcare is often underestimated: the way doctors and patients communicate with one another.
On The Lisa Burke Show, I brought together physiotherapist Sarah Elmquist and healthcare communication researcher Dr India Pinker to explore both sides of the conversation: the physical body and the human relationship at the heart of healthcare.
The Invisible Problem
Incontinence can affect both women and men. Yet embarrassment and silence mean that people can live with symptoms for years.
Sarah works with pelvic floor rehabilitation, postpartum care, and incontinence. Breaking the taboo around these subjects has become part of her professional mission. She points out that people often adapt their lives around the problem. They might avoid exercise, social situations, or activities with their children because they fear leaking.
The important message is that it does not have to be this way. Pelvic floor rehabilitation can help people regain awareness, strength, and confidence.
After Childbirth: What About the Mother?
Pregnancy and childbirth place extraordinary demands on the body. Yet postpartum care can sometimes become overwhelmingly focused on the baby. The mother can disappear from the conversation.
For Sarah, helping women reconnect with their bodies is a central part of her work. The pelvic floor may be invisible, but its impact on everyday life certainly isn't. The issue extends beyond incontinence. It can affect confidence, exercise, intimacy, and the simple freedom to move through daily life without fear.
The Other Side of Healthcare: Empathy
Dr India Pinker approaches healthcare from a different direction. Her research focuses on healthcare communication and empathy. She examines what happens when patients navigate complex diagnoses, different cultures, multiple languages, or difficult decisions.
One of her central arguments is that a patient cannot be separated from the rest of their life.
“One patient is not just the disease on its own. They are within a larger context of being a human being.” — Dr India Pinker
That sounds simple, but it is anything but. A patient arriving for an appointment may also be a parent, a partner, a carer, or someone frightened about money. They might not speak the language fluently or have just received information they are struggling to process.
Does Empathy Take Too Much Time?
Healthcare professionals are under pressure. Consultations can be short, and systems can be stretched. So, is empathy realistic?
India's answer is fascinating: it does not necessarily require more time. It can be about how a difficult subject is introduced, whether a patient feels safe enough to ask a question, and whether they are given information they can return to after the consultation. Preparation itself can become a form of empathy.
From Powerlessness to Agency
One of the strongest themes in our conversation was powerlessness. A health problem can make someone feel they have lost control over their body, their time, or their future.
Good healthcare cannot remove every uncertainty. But good communication can help return some agency. India made another striking observation: communication is used constantly in healthcare, yet it has historically not always been treated with the same seriousness as other clinical skills.
That raises a bigger question.
What if empathy were regarded as part of the clinical toolkit rather than an optional human extra?
The Conversation We Need to Have
Perhaps these two subjects, pelvic floor health and healthcare communication, are more connected than they first appear. Both are about things that can remain invisible. Both are surrounded by assumptions and silence. And both can leave people feeling powerless.
Talking about them does not solve everything. But silence certainly solves nothing. The challenge is to create healthcare in which people feel able to say what is happening to them, and professionals have the skills and space to listen. Because sometimes the most important intervention begins with a conversation.
The Importance of Communication in Healthcare
Effective communication in healthcare is vital. It fosters trust and understanding between patients and providers. When patients feel heard, they are more likely to engage in their care actively. This can lead to better health outcomes.
Building Trust Through Dialogue
Trust is the foundation of any successful healthcare relationship. When healthcare professionals take the time to listen, they build rapport. This rapport encourages patients to share their concerns openly.
The Role of Active Listening
Active listening is a skill that can be developed. It involves fully concentrating on what the patient is saying, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. This practice can significantly enhance the patient experience.
Empowering Patients
Empowerment is crucial in healthcare. When patients understand their conditions and treatment options, they can make informed decisions. This empowerment can lead to improved adherence to treatment plans and better health outcomes.
The Future of Healthcare Communication
As we move forward, the importance of effective communication in healthcare will only grow. Embracing empathy and understanding can transform the patient experience. It can create a healthcare environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Watch the full episode of The Lisa Burke Show on RTL Play, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.*
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