5 ways to build trust in 2 minutes

"The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy, we can all sense a mysterious connection to each other."Maya Angleou

Empathy on the Clock: 5 Ways to Build Trust with Migraine Patients in Under 2 Minutes
 @ Ms. Irons Sharpens

How do you build trust with your patients?

A few years ago, I was experiencing tremendous pain in my neck and shoulders. I was referred to a neurosurgeon an expert in this area. The day of my appointment, I prepared with questions and medical history. After the normal triaging process, the doctors resident arrived and told me my pain was unexplainable. The doctor in question arrived and shared that I should consider physical therapy. This entire encounter took about 15 minutes and left me feeling unheard and dismissed.

The reality is you are given 15 minutes with a patient and you can transform the entire visit in the first two minutes. It is during this time, where trust can be built or broken. For people living with chronic migraine who face misunderstanding and dismissal, two minutes of empathy may be the most therapeutic part of the visit.

How to do you do this without adding more to your already full plate?

1. Start with Validation (20 seconds)

Begin by naming what so many patients rarely hear: "I know migraine is more than just a headache it’s a complex neurological condition that can affect your whole life. That one sentence tells your patient they’re seen and believed. It instantly shifts the tone from skepticism to partnership. Validation doesn’t take time; it takes intention. A few well-chosen words can ease years of dismissal.

2. Ask One Powerful Question (30 seconds)

Instead of running straight to symptoms, ask: “What’s the hardest part of living with migraine for you right now?”

This question invites the patient to share their real concern the one keeping them up at night. It might be missing work, feeling isolated, or fear of another attack. You’ll still get the clinical information you need, but you’ll also learn what relief actually means to them.

3. Acknowledge the Invisible Burden (20 seconds)

Migraine doesn’t end when the pain stops. The fatigue, brain fog, and anxiety between attacks often weigh just as heavily. Try saying: "I know these symptoms can linger between episodes. That ongoing exhaustion can be tough.”

By acknowledging what’s unseen, you validate the full experience not just the visible pain. Patients who feel understood are more open, honest, and more likely to follow through on treatment plans.

4. Co-Create Next Steps (30 seconds)

Empathy isn’t only emotional it’s practical. Say: “Let’s look at a few options and decide what feels manageable for you right now.”

When you invite the patient into decision-making, you restore their sense of agency, which chronic illness often strips away. Collaboration builds ownership and ownership builds adherence.

5. Close with a Partnership Signal (20 seconds)

End with a statement that keeps the door open: "if this plan doesn’t help, we’ll adjust it together. You don’t have to navigate this alone.”

That final line tells the patient you’re committed for the long run. It costs nothing, takes seconds, and may be the most therapeutic thing you say all day.

Conclusion

Empathy isn’t extra it’s efficient. It doesn’t require a longer visit, only a mindful minute. In less than two minutes, you can replace frustration with trust, uncertainty with understanding, and clinical distance with connection.

For migraine patients, that’s not just good medicine it’s good humanity.

Call to Action

If this 2-minute empathy framework resonates with you, let’s connect. I help healthcare professionals and systems bridge the communication gap with migraine patients creating care experiences that save time, reduce frustration, and build lasting trust.

Comment with the strategy you’ll try first, or reach out to explore how we can reshape your migraine communication approach.

Stay tuned for next weeks blog as I continue sharing this journey of perseverance setbacks, small victories, and hope. Schedule a consultation here: https://ironsconsultinggroupllc.com/contactus

visit us @ironsconsultinggroupllc.com and follow us on social media.