Teaching Patient-Centric Communication Skills
Twenty years ago, I got a job as a Standardized Patient (SP), a professional medical educator who portrays different patient scenarios in training simulations and tests.
These encounters help learners develop diagnostic and communication skills in a safe, controlled environment. Since SPs aren’t “real” patients, learners can practice performing physical exams or breaking bad news without worrying about causing real-world harm.
But being an SP also contributes in ways that go beyond acting or serving as a practice subject.
As an educator, I grade each student during the simulations, assessing them on how well they:
- Communicate complex information
- Build rapport
- Show empathy
I focus on measurable, observable behaviors—eye contact, use of layman’s terms, and “teach-back” moments—that students then use in the real world to provide better patient-centric care.
To help learners improve, I lead them in feedback sessions where they self-reflect on their performance and hear my perspective on how key behaviors positively or negatively impact patient communication and trust.
Over the years, I’ve seen this feedback help students demonstrate more empathy and effective patient-centric skills. While nothing replaces the experience of treating an actual patient, working with an SP helps build the foundation of better healthcare service.
How I Write Healthcare Content
Working in the healthcare industry also led me to write patient education articles, case studies, and digital marketing materials for mental health clinics, dental practices, and content agencies. I’ve ghostwritten over 40 articles for WebMD, MedicineNet, and Embark Behavioral Health, giving me the opportunity to interview and share insights offered by providers and patients.
Viewing healthcare writing through the lens of an SP shows the same empathy that makes good clinical communication also makes good patient-centric healthcare content. This lets me:
- Translate complex medical information into stories that reduce anxiety and build trust
- Interview patients and staff while respecting HIPAA guidelines and ethical boundaries
- Create content that resonates with both human readers and modern search technology
- Work collaboratively with medical reviewers to ensure accuracy and credibility
Patients don’t need more medical terminology. They need to feel heard, understood, and empowered to make informed decisions. And healthcare organizations need content that bridges the gap between clinical expertise and patient understanding.
That’s what I create.
How My Academic Background Shapes My Work
When I earned my PhD in Narrative Studies from Arizona State University, I didn’t just study literature—I learned how stories evolve, resonate, and connect with audiences. My doctoral research focused on narrative adaptation: how the same story can be retold for children, adults, teachers, and librarians in the format most meaningful to them.
Now I help healthcare organizations adapt their clinical expertise into different formats—education articles, case studies, patient stories, video scripts, and provider bios—that resonate with diverse patient populations.
What Clients Say
“His empathy and writing let him turn sensitive topics into compelling articles. He requires minimal editing, delivers high-quality drafts, and offers quick turnaround time.”
— Lydia Corbin, Standardized Patient Manager, Creighton University
“Working with Michael, I’ve seen how he helps learners understand the patient’s journey. His feedback lets students realize the importance of cutting through medical jargon.”
— Dr. Janet O’Brien, PhD, RN, Coordinator, Standardized Patient Programs, ASU
“Michael was key to Embark’s content marketing efforts. He was easy to work with on every assignment… He turns copy around quickly and typically submitted assignments ahead of deadline.”
— Angela Gabriel, Senior Content Editor, Embark Behavioral Health
[See all client testimonials →]
Let’s Work Together
Whether you need patient stories that humanize your brand, education articles that improve health literacy, or content that bridges clinical expertise and patient understanding, I’d love to help.