Factors which influence doctor-patient communication

• The setting: requirements
• Privacy
• Comfortable surroundings
• An appropriate setting arrangement

Factors which influence doctor-patient communication

• Patient-related factors (patient’s feel at that time)
• Physical symptoms
• Psychological factors related to illness and/or medical care (e.g. anxiety., depression, anger, denial)
• Previous experience of medical care
• Current experience of medical care

Factors which influence doctor-patient communication

• Doctor-related factors
• Training in communication skills
• Self-confidence in ability to communicate’personality
• Physical factors (e.g. Tirdeness)
• Psychological factors (e.g. Anxiety)

Factors which influence doctor-patient communication

• Others
• The patient’s beliefs about health and illness
• The problem they wish to discuss
• Their expectation of the doctor will do (often based on previous experience)
• How they perceive the doctor

The setting of the inteview

• In each case every effort should be made to provide a setting that facilitates communication
• Privacy is essencial
• Try to avoid interruptions and make sure that the lighting and temperature are as comfortable as possible
• The arrangements of the seat
• There are 3 possible setting (see pictures)
• Try to drag a chair when we’re having consultation with the patient is on the bed. This would create the same “level”, so the patient wont feel threatened

Guideline for conducting an interview

• Beginning the interview
• Greet the patient by name and shake hands, if it seems appropriate
• Ask the patient to sit down
• Introduce yourself
• Explain the purpose of the interview
• Say how much time is available
• Explain the need to take the notes and ask if this is acceptable

The main part of the interview

• Maintain a positive atmosphere, warm manner, good eye contact
• Use open question at the beginning
• Listen carefully
• Be alert and responsive to verbal and non ferbal cues
• Facilitate the patient, both verbally and non-verbally
• Use spesific questions when appropriate
• Calrify what the patient has told you
• Encourage the patient to be relevant

Ending the interview

• Summaries what the patient has told you and ask if your summary is accurate
• Ask if the would like to add anything
• Thank the patient