This document discusses the importance of effective communication in the patient-doctor relationship. It outlines several key aspects of communication that are important for building trust and establishing a meaningful relationship, including active listening, empathy, objectivity, and respect. Effective communication can improve patient satisfaction, compliance, health outcomes and decrease malpractice claims. The document provides guidance on communication strategies like introducing oneself, explaining one's role, addressing patients properly, and using body language to show respect and concern for the patient.

1. The Patient-Doctor
Relationship
Dr Sanjev Dave
Professor & HOD
Community Medicine
SSJGIMSR, Almora(UK)

2. Objectives
• Understand why patient-doctor
communication is key to a
successful relationship
• Learn basic communication
strategies for an improved
patient-doctor experience

3. The Patient-Doctor
Relationship
• Class exercise:
– Tell me about your most
memorable positive experience
with a physician (when you were a
patient)

4. The Patient-Doctor
Relationship
• Class exercise:
– Tell me your most negative
experience

5. The Patient-Doctor
Relationship
• What does being a doctor mean
to you?

6. Communication
• Patient-Doctor communication is
important
– Improved satisfaction
– Improved compliance
– Improved decision making
– Better health outcomes
– Decreased malpractice claims

7. Communication Skills
• Essential for diagnosing and
treating illness
• Essential in establishing a
meaningful patient-doctor
relationship
• Facilitates educating and
counseling patients

8. Communication
• Information gathered must be:
– Objective
– Accurate
– Precise

9. A model patient-
doctor relationship
• Trust
• Compassion
• Open and honest
communication
• Respect

10. Why is Doctor-Patient
Communication
Unique?
• Trust
– Patients on the first visit share
their most personal information to
someone they have never met
before
– They look to you for guidance
when making critical health care
decisions

11. Why is Doctor-Patient
Communication
Unique?
• Trust
– Within minutes of meeting,
patients are often required to
disrobe for a physical examination
and are placed in a vulnerable
situation

12. Communication
• Who will you be communicating
with?
– Patients
– Families
– Colleagues
– Other health professionals

13. Patient
Communication
• Patients who feel at ease are
more likely to tell you their
reason for coming to the
doctor’s office
• Be yourself!
• Show true interest

14. The Physician’s
Duties
• Respects the patient
• Ensures privacy and trust of
confidential information
• Demonstrates genuine concern
for patient’s health
• Limits distraction to provide
patient undivided attention

15. Respect
• Introduce yourself
– Patient
– Family
– Caregiver

16. Respect
• Explain your role and goal for
the interaction

17. Respect
• If appropriate shake hands
• Always address the patient as:
Mr., Mrs., Ms, etc.

18. Empathy
• To understand a person’s
experience
• Different than sympathy
• Requires
– Active listening
– Interest in patient’s experience

19. Objectivity
• Removing your own beliefs and
values
• Avoid judgmental attitudes
– IV Drug Abuse
– Education
– Socioeconomic status
– Language/Cultural differences
– Ageism

20. Active Listening Skills
• Respect the patient as a whole
person, not a diseased body
• Use confirmatory statements:
– “Yes”
– “Tell me more about that”
• Allow the person to tell their
whole story without unnecessary
interruptions

21. Active Listening
• Don’t be afraid of silence

22. Body Language
• Examination room configuration
• Sitting/Standing
• Eye level
• Eye contact
– Note taking
• Posture
• Hurried speech

23. Body Language
• Patients notice more than you
think
– 2/3 of communication is non-
verbal
• Appropriate use of touch

24. Patient-Doctor
Communication:
Key Points
• Ask about expectations, feelings
and concerns
• Show concern for comfort and
modesty
• Give an opportunity to express
feelings and concerns
• Encourage patients to ask
questions

25. Communication skills
can be developed with
practice, patience and
a willingness to learn