From Fear to Fun: How can they hold the information

This episode explores why parents retain so little of what we tell them during a consultation — and why relying on verbal explanations alone is one of the biggest time‑wasters in clinical practice. We look at how stress blocks memory, why shared decision‑making demands better tools, and how a simple handwritten summary can transform understanding and empower families.

We cover:

• Why parents remember only ~20% of what we say — and half of that inaccurately

• How emotional engagement and stress disrupt memory formation

• Why verbal explanations alone are inefficient and disempowering

• The value of a personalised handwritten explanation sheet

• Why medical letters don’t meet parents’ needs

• How written summaries save time, improve clarity, and support shared decision‑making

• Alternatives like recording the consultation

Key takeaway:

Stop wasting your time with explanations that evaporate. Give parents something they can take home — a simple, personalised summary that empowers them long after the consultation ends.

Tune in to learn how a small shift can make your communication clearer, calmer, and far more effective.

You can find the content of this podcast also in my blog: https://empowerpaediatricpatients.blog/2025/08/31/only-what-is-written-remains/

Music by Sascha Ende via ende.app

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