What is in the toolkit (and what are the tools)? How to approach the study of doctor–patient communication

2022 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2021-140663
Author(s):  
Caitríona Cox ◽  
Zoë Fritz
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Patient Communication ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Conceptual Approach ◽  
Doctor Patient Communication ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Objective View ◽  
Study Designs ◽  
Patient Studies

Doctor–patient communication is important, but is challenging to study, in part because it is multifaceted. Communication can be considered in terms of both the aspects of the communication itself, and its measurable effects. These effects are themselves varied: they can be proximal or distal, and can focus on subjective measures (how patients feel about communication), or objective measures (exploring more concrete health outcomes or behaviours). The wide range of methodologies available has resulted in a heterogeneous literature which can be difficult to compare and analyse.Here, we provide a conceptual approach to studying doctor–patient communication, examining both variables which can controlled and different outcomes which can be measured. We present methodologies which can be used (questionnaires, semistructured interviews, vignette studies, simulated patient studies and observations of real interactions), with particular emphasis on their respective logistical advantages/disadvantages and scientific merits/limitations. To study doctor–patient communication more effectively, two or more different study designs could be used in combination.We have provided a concise and practically relevant review of the methodologies available to study doctor–patient communication to give researchers an objective view of the toolkit available to them: both to understand current research, and to conduct robust and relevant studies in the future.

The role of mobile devices in doctor-patient communication: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 693-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah Kashgary ◽  
Roaa Alsolaimani ◽  
Mahmoud Mosli ◽  
Samer Faraj
Keyword(s):  
Medication Adherence ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Mobile Device ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Patient Communication ◽  
Doctor Patient Communication ◽  
Phone Calls

Introduction In the last few years, the use of telecommunication and mobile technology has grown significantly. This has led to a notable increase in the utilization of this telecommunication in healthcare, namely phone calls and text messaging (SMS). However, evaluating its global impact on improving healthcare processes and outcomes demands a more comprehensive assessment. In this study, we focused on the role of mobile devices via phone calls and SMS in patient–doctor communication, and aimed to assess its impact on various health outcomes. Methods Major databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Global Health, and Cochrane CENTRAL, were searched for clinical trials that investigated mobile-device technology in any facet of doctor–patient communication published between 1990 and April 2015. A meta-analysis was performed where appropriate. Results Sixty-two articles met our inclusion criteria. Of those, 23 articles investigated mobile appointment reminder technologies, 19 investigated medication adherence, 20 investigated disease-control interventions, and two investigated test-result reporting. Patients who received an appointment reminder were 10% less likely to miss an appointment (relative risk [RR] = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08–1.15). Mobile interventions increased medication adherence by 22% (RR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.09–1.36). Ten of 20 studies examining disease control reported statistically significant reductions in clinically meaningful endpoints. The use of mobile-device interventions improved forced expiratory volume in one second and hemoglobin A1c percentage in meta-analyses. Conclusion The use of mobile-device technologies exerted modest improvements in communication and health outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the true effect of these technologies on doctor–patient communication.

Telemedicine and doctor–patient communication: a theoretical framework for evaluation

2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 311-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Alan Miller
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Interactive Video ◽  
Important Determinant ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Patient Communication ◽  
Doctor Patient Communication ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Contextual Characteristics ◽  
The Way

The literature on doctor-patient communication demonstrates that patient, provider and contextual characteristics influence behaviour within medical encounters, which in turn is an important determinant of health outcomes. This paper introduces a conceptual model which posits that telemedicine affects health outcomes through changes in the way doctors and patients communicate with one another. It also proposes that this process depends on the medium through which the consultation takes place, whether in person, over the telephone, via fax or email, or through two-way interactive video. Since participants in two-way interactive video-consultations rarely meet in person, it is particularly important that the effect of substituting video for face-to-face consultations be delineated.

Medical Situations

2017 ◽  
pp. 455-465
Author(s):  
Patrick Morse ◽  
Kate Sweeny
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Patient Communication ◽  
Psychological Characteristics ◽  
Doctor Patient Communication ◽  
Information Availability ◽  
Physical Cues ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Medical Situation

The present chapter reviews the psychological literature on medical situations, their properties, and their associations with a variety of physical and psychological health outcomes. It offers a definition of medical situations and suggests a framework to organize the literature before providing a review of research on health outcomes associated with different medical situation categories (e.g., waiting for a doctor, receiving treatment), as well as their physical cues (e.g., hospital room with a view of nature, ambient sounds) and psychological characteristics (e.g., doctor-patient communication, information availability). The chapter concludes with a discussion of the implications of past studies and suggestions for further research on medical situations.

scholarly journals Prostate care and prostate cancer from the perspectives of undiagnosed men: a systematic review of qualitative research

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e022842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashwini Kannan ◽  
Maggie Kirkman ◽  
Rasa Ruseckaite ◽  
Sue M Evans
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Prostate Cancer Risk ◽  
Doctor Patient Communication ◽  
Ovid Medline ◽  
Prostate Cancer Prevention ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Prostate Health

ObjectivesTo summarise and evaluate evidence from men who had not been diagnosed with prostate cancer about their perspectives on prostate care and prostate cancer.DesignA systematic review of qualitative research, on the perspectives of non-cancerous men regarding prostate cancer prevention and care.SettingA wide range of settings including primary and secondary care.ParticipantsMen from varied demographic backgrounds ranging between 40 to 80 years of age.Data sourcesThree databases (Ovid MEDLINE, Informit, PsychInfo) and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed papers in English reporting research using qualitative methods (in-depth or semistructured interviews and focus groups).Review methodsThematic analysis using inductive and deductive codes. Thematic synthesis was achieved through iterative open, axial and thematic coding.ResultsEight papers (reporting seven studies conducted in Australia, UK and Germany) met inclusion criteria. Four major themes were identified: understanding prostate cancer, masculinity and prostate cancer, barriers to prostate healthcare and managing prostate health. It was reported that men often did not understand screening, prostate anatomy or their prostate cancer risk, and that concerns about masculinity could deter men from seeking health checks. There was evidence of a need to improve doctor–patient communication about case finding.ConclusionFurther investigation is required to identify and understand any differences in the perspectives and experiences of men who have not been diagnosed with prostate cancer in metropolitan and regional areas, especially where there may be variations in access to healthcare

scholarly journals New doctor-patient communication learning software to help interns succeed in communication skills

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Sun ◽  
Junkai Zou ◽  
Lanbo Zhao ◽  
Qing Wang ◽  
Shaozhi Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Communication Skills ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Patient Communication ◽  
Doctor Patient Communication ◽  
Emotional Factors ◽  
New Learning ◽  
Communication Software ◽  
Learning Software ◽  
Study Designs

Abstract Background Nowadays, the research of doctor-patient communication is becoming increasingly important not only in China but also around the world. Methods The study designs a type of learning software to train the interns to advance their communication skills, and whose validity for improving doctor-patient communication in self-controlled trials is evaluated. With the aid of the new learning software, the self-controlled tests were carried out among 183 interns to assess the quality of their communication skill acquisition. The learning effectiveness of the preparation stage, information collection, information given, patient understanding, and inquisition ending was evaluated with the Set Elicit Give Understand End (SEGUE) framework after 3 months of training. Results More interns (37.16% vs. 10.98%, P < 0.001) could accurately identify the psychosocial or emotional factors contributing to the diseases. An increased number of interns (42.62% vs. 10.40%, P < 0.001) were able to openly discuss lifestyle issues and prevention strategies with patients. The study also revealed that interns who had completed training tended to allow patients more time to describe their feelings and concerns about their illnesses. In addition, more of the trained interns roved capable of being caring and respectful to patients and showing empathetic communication behavior (53.01% vs. 26.59%, P < 0.001). Conclusions The doctor-patient communication software may help the interns known more about communication skills.

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