This article endorses the use of the theory-informed CAUSE model for family physicians to communicate risk to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, family physicians must be effective risk communicators. One evidence-based way to do this is to use the CAUSE model when communicating with patients about risk. Strategies include:
- Create confidence
- Build trust
- Establish expertise
- Legitimate dread
- Generate awareness
- Enhance understanding
- Increase knowability
- Make the risk seem more familiar
- Respond to patient concerns and questions
- Gain satisfaction
- Outline specific actions to mitigate threat
- Motivate action, or enactment
- Use efficacy messages
- Provide resources if needed
Previous research has demonstrated this framework’s effectiveness in altering behaviors.
