The Art of Active Listening: Are You Listening to Your Patients, and Are They Listening to You?

This course will explore active listening as an art form in the delivery of healthcare. Healthcare professionals will be able to practice evidence-based communication techniques that build rapport, enrich their observation skills, and enhance the patient care they provide.

All States: Accredited for RNs, LVNs, SWs*, LPCs, CCMs, and ACMs
Certified for PTs and OTs in Texas.
*Not accredited for SWs in New York

Content Level: Intermediate
Format: Reading-Based Asynchronous Distance Learning

About the authors:
Grady Shumway, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience in mental health counseling, trauma-informed care, and clinical research. He has worked in diverse settings, including community mental health, correctional facilities, and hospice care. Grady specializes in evidence-based therapies such as Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Cognitive Behavioral Interventions (CBI), and Moral Recognition Therapy (MRT).

Robyn Horn has her Master’s degree in Long-Term Care Administration from the University of North Texas as well as an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. She served as a licensed nursing home administrator for 13 years which included two years at an Alzheimer’s assisted living facility. Robyn has facilitated several caregiver support groups in both facility and community settings. She is also Author of the book, “Transforming the Mundane into Sacred: Spirituality in Caregiving for the Elderly.”

After attending this course, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between hearing and listening in the context of healthcare and social work practice.
• Explain the benefits of engaging in active listening with patients and clients, particularly older adults, in a clinical or care setting.
• Identify common barriers to active listening and strategies to overcome them.
• Analyze the relationship between effective communication and improved patient and client outcomes.

Course Completion Requirements: This course is in a written format, and your certificate will be available for download immediately after successful completion of the post-test and evaluation. A score of 80% or greater is required to pass, and you may re-take the post-test if needed up to 3 times.

*Individual Purchase Refund Policy: If the course has not been completed, we can refund the full amount within 15 days of purchase.
*Group Event Refund Policy: If the event has not occurred, we can refund the full amount within 15 days of purchase.

Approval Statements:

Nurses – HIS Cornerstone is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. (Expires 03/31/2028)
Social Workers: HIS Cornerstone, provider #2082, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 03/25/2025–03/25/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 ethics continuing education credit.
ACMA and CCMC Case Managers: This program fits the description of an ACMA approved CE because it has been awarded contact hour(s) by HIS Cornerstone, a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. As of July 1, 2020 CCMC recognizes ACMA’s continuing education offerings to meet the requirements of the Certified Case Manager (CCM) credential.
Physical Therapists/PTAs: This activity has been approved by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 1.00 CCUs for PTs and PTAs. (Expires 1/16/26)
Occupational Therapists/OTAs: The TOTA Continuing Education Review Committee has approved this course for the following continuing education units (CEUs): 1 contact hour / 1.0 CEUs of OT Education.  (Expires 5/1/25)

Please contact mtaylor@hiscornerstone.com for ADA accommodations or if you have any questions, concerns, or grievances about this course.

Last Reviewed March 18, 2025

.