Inpatient Hospital Stays: Communication between Physicians and Patients

Effective communication between the physician and patient must include communicating in a clear simple manner, communicating with family members, communicating the plan of care, communicating results of tests and procedures performed and communicating findings, good or bad, in a manner appropriate for the situation. Sources: Arthur D. Fisk, et al. "What factors lead to healthcare miscommunications with older patients?" Journal of Communication in Healthcare 2.2 (2009): 103-118. Health Business Elite. EBSCO. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. This article discusses the overall impact of effective communication on the health of the elderly population. It brings out the fact that various factors influence a patients understanding and should set the tone of the physician’s conversation. The goal of the study conducted in this article is to investigate how communication is impacted by four patient characteristics; memory, sensation/perception, comprehension and interpersonal skills. These characteristics influence the decision-making process that is vital in a patient’s response to orders given by the physician such as medication compliance. Communicating with a patient based on his or her level of understanding is important at all age levels and varies with other socio-economic factors. This article is relevant because it supports the importance of simple and clear communication to a patient or caregiver. "Breaking bad news." Doctor (2007): 38-41. Health Business Elite. EBSCO. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. This article discusses how many physicians avoid telling their patient or patient’s family bad news. It is normal human behavior to avoid causing hurt to another therefore making it hard to share disturbing news. The article... ...study of the communication impact on patients. It identifies the importance of clear concise communication to patients by physicians for improved outcomes. Evidence gathered from the sources support the thesis that effective communication between the physician and patient must include communicating in a clear simple manner, communicating with family members, communicating the plan of care, communicating results of tests and procedures performed and communicating findings, good or bad, in a manner appropriate for the situation. An ideal solution would be to implement communication education seminars for physicians. The curriculum development will keep the patient in mind. Making this a patient centered educational process with some role playing will help to enlightening physicians on the importance of improved communications with the patients they care for.