Doctor-Patient Communication: A Review

Effective doctor-patient communication is a central clinical function in building a therapeutic doctor-patient relationship, which is the heart and art of medicine. This is important in the delivery of high-quality health care. Much patient dissatisfaction and many complaints are due to breakdown in the doctor-patient relationship. However, many doctors tend to overestimate their ability in communication. Over the years, much has been published in the literature on this important topic. We review the literature on doctor-patient communication.

Automated summary

Effective doctor-patient communication is crucial in building a therapeutic doctor-patient relationship and delivering high-quality health care. Many patient dissatisfactions and complaints stem from breakdowns in the doctor-patient relationship, yet many doctors tend to overestimate their communication abilities.