Patient-centred communication
Patient-centred communication is a modern approach to healthcare that emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing patients' mental, emotional, and physical needs. Unlike traditional models that primarily focus on quantifiable health outcomes, patient-centred communication seeks to create a respectful and open dialogue between healthcare providers and patients. This strategy involves recognizing each patient’s unique background, beliefs, and levels of understanding, which can significantly influence their healthcare experience. By prioritizing clear and compassionate communication, healthcare professionals can help avoid misunderstandings that may arise from the use of complex medical jargon.
Central to patient-centred communication is the idea of shared decision-making, allowing patients to collaborate with their providers in choosing the most appropriate treatment options. Effective communication not only fosters trust but also encourages patients to express their concerns and emotions openly, contributing to a more supportive healthcare environment. Healthcare providers are trained to recognize verbal and nonverbal cues that may indicate a patient’s emotional state, ensuring that they remain attuned to the patient's feelings throughout the interaction. Ultimately, patient-centred communication plays a vital role in enhancing the overall healthcare experience, making it essential for successful outcomes in modern medical practice.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Patient-centred communication
Patient-centred communication (written as “patient-centered communication” in the United States) is a strategy in modern healthcare. Whereas traditional healthcare focused on tangible physical results, many modern health workers focus on supporting patients’ mental and emotional wellbeing as well, a key aspect of patient-centered care. In patient-centred communication, health experts try to overcome potential miscommunication by building strong and respectful lines of communication with patients. They strive to understand patients’ beliefs, backgrounds, and knowledge levels. Healthcare personnel then attempt to convey important information to patients in sensitive and thoughtful ways that make patients feel respected and supported.
Overview
Traditionally, healthcare has focused on quantifiable changes in physical health. Physicians might measure success solely based on treating wounds or curing illnesses. However, modern views of the medical profession have emphasized a more holistic view of healthcare. Medical experts today may have a wider range of tasks, including learning about and working closely with patients in order to support patients’ overall physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. One of the main facets of this new perspective is patient-centred communication, a system of sharing information that focuses on the background, knowledge, and needs of patients.
Patient-centred communication is a key to success in modern healthcare. On the most basic level, this communication helps to avoid miscommunication. In serious health situations, miscommunication may be dangerous or even deadly, and may lead to conflicts and lawsuits as well. Medical experts sometimes miscommunicate by using overly technical or scientific language while dealing with patients with little or no experience in the topics being discussed. In these cases, patients may become uncomfortable, form unclear understandings, or make decisions based on inaccurate knowledge.
Patient-centred communication is also a crucial means of building understanding, respect, and cooperation between the medical expert and the patient. Medical personnel may take many steps to better understand a patient. Reviewing a patient’s records and background are important steps. For example, cultural, linguistic, and sex-based attributes may affect how a patient feels about health or various medical procedures. Medical personnel who take these factors into account may be able to fix potential miscommunications before they occur.
Speaking openly but carefully with patients is another primary means of building mutual understanding. Healthcare professionals should try to use language that comforts patients and makes them feel free to express themselves. For example, a professional may say, “How is your illness making you feel?” or “Do you have any concerns about the upcoming procedure?” This approach addresses patients’ emotions, ideas, and expectations. It helps to open the lines of communication and may allow the healthcare personnel to provide better treatment. In addition, health experts should also watch for nonverbal signals from the patient. For example, tremoring, looking away, or speaking quickly may be signs of anxiety that the professional may address and try to ameliorate.
The other main facet of patient-centred communication is transferring important information to the patient. The healthcare provider should also undertake this task in a clear, but thoughtful and sensitive, manner. Expressing empathy and supportiveness may be a great comfort to patients. A medical expert may build empathy in many ways. For example, the expert may say “Some patients feel confused when they hear about this diagnosis,” or “It seems like you may be a bit worried at this point.” These statements may make patients feel more able to express their true feelings. Sensitive communication is most important when conveying bad news to a patient or the patients’ loved ones. Health personnel should seek to do this in a private and calm environment and at the level of specificity with which the patient is most comfortable.
Bibliography
Cavallo, Jo. “How Effective Communication Is Integral to Patient-Centered Care: A Conversation with Robert M. Arnold, MD.” ASCO Post, 10 Nov. 2017, ascopost.com/issues/november-10-2017/how-effective-communication-is-integral-to-patient-centered-care/. Accessed 14 June 2021.
Hashim, M. Jawad. “Patient-Centered Communications: Basic Skills.” American Family Physician 95(1), 1 Jan. 2017, pp. 29–34
“Impact of Communication in Healthcare.” Institute for Healthcare Communication, July 2011, healthcarecomm.org/about-us/impact-of-communication-in-healthcare/. Accessed 14 June 2021.
Levinson, Wendy. Patient-Centred Communication: A Sophisticated Procedure. BMJ Quality & Safety, 2011, 20, pp. 823–825.
Merlino, James. “Communication: A Critical Healthcare Competency.” Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare, 6 Nov. 2017, www.psqh.com/analysis/communication-critical-healthcare-competency/. Accessed 14 June 2021.
Naughton, Cynthia A. “Patient-Centered Communication.” Pharmacy (Basel), Mar. 2018, 6(1), p. 18
“Patient-Centred Communication.” The Canadian Medical Protective Association, www.cmpa-acpm.ca/serve/docs/ela/goodpracticesguide/pages/communication/Patient-centred‗communication/patient-centred‗communication-e.html. Accessed 14 June 2021.
“What Is the Importance of Communication in Health Care?” Regis College, 2021, online.regiscollege.edu/blog/importance-communication-health-care/. Accessed 14 June 2021.