Introduction Communication and listening are essential components in promoting positive relationships between people. In the medical, nursing and other health-related professions, poor communication has been a concern for some time (Stewart 1995, Van Ess Coeling and Cukr 2000). Consequently, the issue of communication has been studied often, particularly in relation to medicine and nursing. However, little research has been conducted into the communication styles demonstrated by students completing courses in other health-related disciplines (including occupational therapy), where it is no less important an issue. Effective listening, in particular, has been found to improve patient satisfaction, emotional health, functional and physiological status, and pain control (Weaver and Kirtley 1995, Trahan and Rockwell 1999). The benefits of communication have been similarly noted (Kaplan et al 1989, Van Ess Coeling and Cukr 2000, Ambady et al 2002). The importance of listening and communication in achieving the desired outcomes in occupational therapy,