---
title: Why Patients & Your Team Tune You Out.... And How To Fix It!
description: Humans have a shorter attention span than goldfish! You can’t change this fact, but you can change how you communicate. Create more synergy!
---

[Blog ](https://www.actdental.com/blog)

# [Why Patients & Your Team Tune You Out.... And How To Fix It!](https://www.actdental.com/blog/why-patients-your-team-tune-you-out)

 Written by [Kirk Behrendt](https://www.actdental.com/blog/author/kirk) | Feb 10, 2025 2:00:00 PM

 

Did you know? Humans have a shorter attention span than goldfish!

Years ago, the average attention span was 12 seconds. Now, it’s less than eight. The goldfish have us beat at nine seconds!

So, why is our attention span getting shorter? The answer is clear: technology.

We’re constantly bombarded with information. Our phones ping every time a text, email or notification comes through. The world moves so much faster, and we’re always looking for the next thing.

In other words, **our brains crave novelty over focus. **Keep this in mind as you communicate with your team!

Here are a few tips to create less confusion and more synergy:

- be clear and direct

- leverage visuals

- use attention-grabbing headlines

- break info into bite-sized chunks

- practice active listening

Remember—Patients have short attention spans, too. During an appointment, use words that are easy to understand. If you didn’t use a word before dental school, don’t use it with patients!

We consume about 16 movies’ worth of information per day. That’s not changing anytime soon. What you *can* change is how you communicate. Get the most out of those eight seconds!

 

[View full post](https://www.actdental.com/blog/why-patients-your-team-tune-you-out)

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