Don't "Keep Doing What You are Doing."

When a patient shows improvement during a visit, many medical providers respond with a simple, “Keep doing what you are doing.” While this may seem supportive, it often misses a valuable opportunity. Providers who do not ask follow-up questions or express genuine curiosity lose the chance to learn what specific lifestyle or behavior changes helped the patient succeed. This lack of curiosity also limits the provider’s ability to deepen the patient relationship and celebrate meaningful progress. In a busy clinical environment, taking a moment to explore a patient’s success can be energizing and rewarding for both parties.

Why Curiosity Matters When Patients Show Improvement

When a patient reports positive changes, it’s tempting to simply acknowledge the progress and move on. Yet, curiosity opens the door to understanding the how and why behind that progress. This insight is crucial for several reasons:

• Learning what works: Every patient’s journey is unique. By asking about the specific lifestyle or behavior changes that led to improvement, providers gain practical knowledge that can inform care for other patients.

• Understanding motivation: Discovering what motivated the patient to change reveals powerful drivers that can be encouraged in others facing similar challenges.

• Overcoming resistance: Patients often face barriers to change. Exploring how they overcame these obstacles provides valuable lessons for future support.

• Building trust: Showing genuine interest in a patient’s experience strengthens the therapeutic relationship, making patients feel heard and valued.

  
  

Without curiosity, providers risk missing these benefits and reduce the encounter to a routine check-in rather than a meaningful dialogue.

What Providers Miss When They Don’t Ask

When providers respond with generic encouragement like “Keep doing what you are doing,” several opportunities are lost:

1. Missing Patient Wisdom

Patients often develop creative strategies to manage their health that may not be part of standard recommendations. For example, a patient who successfully improved blood pressure might have adjusted their diet in a unique way or found a new exercise routine that fits their schedule. Without asking, providers miss these insights that could help others.

2. Losing Connection

A simple phrase can feel dismissive or routine. Patients may sense a lack of interest, which can weaken rapport. When providers ask thoughtful questions, patients feel respected and understood, which encourages openness and honesty.

3. Overlooking Emotional Wins

Behavior change is often accompanied by emotional shifts—pride, confidence, relief. Celebrating these wins can motivate patients to continue their progress. Providers who skip this step miss the chance to boost patient morale.

4. Neglecting Provider Well-being

In a demanding clinical environment, hearing success stories can be uplifting for providers. Taking time to celebrate patient wins can renew energy and remind providers why their work matters.

How to Respond Differently: Practical Alternatives to “Keep Doing What You Are Doing”

Instead of defaulting to generic encouragement, providers can use curiosity-driven responses that benefit both the patient and the provider. Here are some examples:

• Express genuine praise:

“I’m very impressed with your progress.”

This acknowledges a patient’s effort and success clearly.

• Ask about specific changes:

“What were the two to three biggest changes you made to your lifestyle?”

This invites detailed reflection and useful information.

• Explore motivation:

“What was the moment you decided to take on these changes?”

Understanding the trigger helps identify motivational factors.

Using these questions turns a routine visit into a rich conversation that can inform future care and strengthen the patient-provider bond.

Examples of Curiosity in Action

Case 1: Managing Diabetes Through Lifestyle

A patient with type 2 diabetes reports improved blood sugar levels. Instead of saying “Keep doing what you are doing,” the provider can ask one or all of these questions:

• “Can you tell me what specific changes in your diet or activity helped the most?”

• “Was there a moment when you felt ready to make these changes?”

• “What challenges did you face, and how did you handle them?”

  
  

The patient shares that switching to home-cooked meals and walking daily made a big difference. They also mention overcoming initial frustration by setting small goals. This conversation helps the provider tailor advice for others and celebrate the patient’s success.

Case 2: Reducing Hypertension with Stress Management

A patient reports lower blood pressure after starting meditation and reducing caffeine. The provider can respond by asking any or all of these questions:

• “I’m impressed with your progress. What motivated you to try meditation?”

• “How did you stay consistent with your new routine?”

• “What have you noticed about your stress levels since starting?”

  
  

The patient explains that a family member’s health scare was the turning point and that using a meditation app helped build the habit. This insight helps the provider recommend similar tools to other patients.

Benefits of Curiosity for Providers and Patients

For Providers

• Gain practical knowledge about effective lifestyle and behavior changes.

• Build stronger, trust-based relationships with patients.

• Experience professional satisfaction from celebrating patient wins.

• Improve patient adherence and outcomes by tailoring advice.

• 
  

For Patients

• Feel valued and heard, increasing motivation.

• Reflect on their journey, reinforcing positive changes.

• Receive personalized support based on their unique experience.

• Build confidence to maintain and expand healthy behaviors.

  
  

Tips for Integrating Curiosity into Busy Clinical Practice

• Prepare a few open-ended questions: Keep a mental or written list of curiosity-driven questions to use when patients report progress.

• Use active listening: Show engagement through eye contact, nodding, and verbal affirmations.

• Allocate time wisely: Even a brief moment of curiosity can make a difference.

• Document insights: Record useful patient strategies to share with colleagues or other patients.

• Celebrate wins: Acknowledge progress verbally or with a note to boost morale.

Check out our products that can assist you in building your coaching skills by incorporating our scripted behavior change prescription pads into your practice.