Healthcare Students’ Reflections on Their Use of Listening Stances: An Exploratory Study of Emerging Humility and Enhanced Awareness of the Benefits of Listening

AIM: This exploratory study examined evidence for emerging humility and appreciation of the benefits of listening, as shown in students' reflections on their use of listening stances. METHODS: 135 Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology students completed a written reflection on their experience practicing a self-selected listening stance (receptive, exploratory, consensus-oriented, or action-oriented listening). A chi-square analysis examined the number of students' humility-related comments as a function of students' discipline and chosen listening stance. Types of benefits arising from listening practice were determined by extracting and grouping quotes in students' reflections. RESULTS: More Occupational Therapy students chose to practice exploratory listening than expected by chance and they made more humility-related comments when choosing this stance, whereas more Physical Therapy students chose to practice action-oriented listening and they made more humility-related comments when choosing this stance. There was evidence for various positive benefits, including deeper understanding for the self, deeper sharing by the other person, and more meaningful and productive conversations. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides important findings regarding the preparation of healthcare students for clinical practice. There was preliminary evidence of associations between clinical listening practice and emerging humility, as well as greater awareness of the benefits of listening.