The 4th most commonly mentioned new patient complaint: Talking too fast.

Being a conversational speed demon often happens when we’re in a high-pressure situation. It can be the result of anxiety or nervousness. Which is an unhelpful impression to give a new patient who is seeking your help.

It might seem that speaking faster is more efficient, but rarely true. It actually reduces your impact. Patients don’t have sufficient time to process what they’re hearing.

Most of us associate rapid fire speaking with dishonesty. Think: fast talking salesman.

Turns out, inserting pauses projects power and confidence—traits patients want in their health care provider.

Are you a fast talker? Record a couple of your consultations and reports. Then listen back to them for pacing and other unhelpful tics, such as relying on filler words such as “like,” “um,” and “uh.”

Slow down. They need you more than you need them.


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Bill Esteb, a passionate chiropractic advocate since 1981, brings a fresh perspective to the profession as Patient Media’s creative director and co-founder of Perfect Patients. With 12 insightful books examining the doctor-patient relationship, he inspires chiropractors worldwide as a chiropractic speaker, through his chiropractor coaching program, and consulting. Since 1999 Monday Morning Motivation has been emailed weekly to over 10,000 subscribers, sparking breakthroughs across the chiropractic community.

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