The R.E.D.E. to Communicate® Model

Cleveland Clinic developed the R.E.D.E. to Communicate® model as the cornerstone of our clinician communication training program and the conceptual framework for effective communication in healthcare relationships. This nationally-recognized program acknowledges that there is no exact recipe for meaningful communication. Instead, it applied evidence-based communication skills to three phases of Relationship: Establishment, Development, and Engagement — giving clinicians a framework to apply to any conversation.

Communication Matters

Multiple studies have shown that relationship-centered communication skills can be improved with effective training, and that effective communication improves medical outcomes, safety, patient adherence, patient satisfaction, and clinical satisfaction and efficiency. Ensuring effective clinician-patient communication is the right thing to do for our patient.

Advanced Topics

In today’s healthcare environment, it’s common for clinicians to face challenges including limited time for patient interaction, increasing medical complexities, and competing expectations. To help meet these challenges, the R.E.D.E. to Communicate® model includes advanced topics designed to deal with distinct challenges such as:

  • Communicating to Patients with Pain
  • Delivering Bad News
  • Maximizing Health Outcomes Through Motivational Interviewing

Deep Dives

  • R.E.D.E. to Round® 
  • R.E.D.E. to Communicate® : How to Build Trust & Save Time
  • R.E.D.E. to Communicate® : How to Show Patients You are Listening
  • R.E.D.E. to Communicate® : How to Enhance Patient Comprehension and Collaboration

Courses & Events

Foundations of Healthcare Communication

The R.E.D.E. to Communicate® : Foundations of Healthcare Communication course introduces clinicians to the R.E.D.E. to Communicate® model of relationship-centered communication and how it applies to any clinical practice. This peer-led course is grounded in evidence-based practices, adult learning theory and experiential learning.

Did You Know?

Every clinician can use relationship-centered communication skills to forge a positive, empathetic relationship with the patient and their loved ones — whether in the minutes before an operation of over a lifetime of helping a patient deal with a chronic illness.