Communication with Patients Suffering from Serious Physical Illness

Abstract

Communication is the corner stone of the relationship with the patient in all medical settings with the main aims of creating a good inter-personal relationship, exchanging information, and making treatment-related decisions. In a rapidly changing cultural and social context, the paternalistic approach of doctors knowing the best and deciding what should be done for a patient has been replaced by a shared decision-making approach, with patients being advised to educate themselves, ask questions and influence the course of the discussion with their doctors. Thus, a need for an improvement in the communication skills of physicians is extremely important for patients affected by serious physical illness (e.g. cancer, HIV infection, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Certain attitudes, behaviour and skills (e.g. capacity to impart confidence, being empathetic, providing a 'human touch', relating on a personal level, being forthright, being respectful, and being thorough) are part of effective communication. However, some specific aspects influencing doctor-patient communication and relationships, such as personality variables, coping and attachment styles, as well as cultural factors, should also be taken in to account. The development of training curricula to help doctors acquire proper skills in communication is mandatory, since research has shown that training in communication may facilitate the effectiveness of a doctor-patient relationship and the patient's satisfaction with care and give a general sense of humanity, which is easily lost in a biotechnologically oriented medicine.

Empathy Levels of Dental Faculty and Students: A Survey Study at an Academic Dental Institution in Chile

“…This quality allows one to understand and envision the impact or effects of the condition on the lives of those afflicted. The exchange of information during a clinician‐patient encounter is key to promote good interpersonal relationships to make effective treatment decisions 1 . Learning in dentistry incorporates development of appropriate relationships with patients to provide good clinical care.…”

Consensus communication strategies to improve doctor-patient relationship in paediatric severe asthma

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From Psychiatric Interviews to Psychotherapies

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