HMD2 - Building Trust Through Conversation: Empathic Inquiry as a Tool for Screening for Non-Clinical Factors of Health

Session Description: Non-clinical factors of health such as housing, food access, and transportation have a profound impact on individual and community health. Screening for these non-clinical factors is essential to advancing health access and delivering whole-person care. Yet, many care teams encounter barriers when integrating screening into practice, often citing patient mistrust and overly transactional interactions as key challenges

This session explores how Empathic Inquiry, a adverse experiences-informed, patient-centered communication approach, can transform screening into a tool for connection and compassion. Empathic Inquiry helps reframe screening as a collaborative process, leading to more accurate data collection, stronger patient-provider relationships, and care plans that reflect social and weather-related realities.

Using real-world examples from Community Health Centers, the session will demonstrate how tools like PRAPARE can be used effectively within care workflows. Participants will learn how to engage in meaningful conversations that respect patients' lived experiences, build trust, and support positive health outcomes for all patients.

Attendees will participate in interactive exercises to build confidence in applying empathic communication strategies in their own settings, leaving with practical tools and sample language that can be applied at their clinic. Whether you're just beginning screening or looking to deepen your approach, this session offers actionable strategies to strengthen patient engagement and improve care delivery.