Effective physician-patient communication in healthcare has been noted to have effects on patient satisfaction, compliance and a quality factor in the treatment process (Trummer et al., 2006). Generally effective physician-patient communication involves the physician and the patient, especially in the treatment process. For instance, in the study by Trummer et al. (2006), the physician-patient communication was delivered to patients after heart related surgery and it was noted that there was reduction of hospital stays hence assisted in recovery. Also, there were reduced complications post-surgery that were related to tachyarrhythmia, which is most related to anxiety post-surgery, and through communication, it was reduced by 15%. Effective communication between patient and physician also assists in compliance and patient satisfaction. Trummer et al. (2006) indicated that the patient satisfaction ratings on the implementation of effective communication model schemes was evident in the study and Ishikawa et al. (2002) noted that physician-patient communication improved the health outcomes of the patient. Effective physician-patient communication enhances patient compliance, achievement of required treatment objectives, and patient satisfaction.
Miscommunication during the treatment process is common in healthcare settings, leading to various negative responses related to the patient’s health outcomes. Fisher (1984) identified that miscommunication between the patient and physician resulted in conflicts associated with the Pap smear procedure, opening, medical history, physical examination, and closing. Miscommunication may happen in all these phases of the treatment process. The two major miscommunications included deciding to undress the patient and performing a Pap smear. In the procedure, normally effective communication involves the introduction of the physician and creating a rapport with the patient before performing the procedure. Moreover, the miscommunication identified by Fisher highlights that even the patient needs to be involved in decision-making for the treatment to be administered. For instance, deciding to undress and perform a pap smear depends on the patient, and the physician should only assist the patient in making medically beneficial decisions based on their condition.
Various models bring about effective criteria for physician-patient communication. According to Cassell (1985), medical encounters start with dialogue, and since the 20th century, there has been a reduced level of patient narration about their symptoms, which is associated with the advanced technology application in medicine. Also, Cassell (1985) presented criteria for effective physician-patient communication based on compassion and individualized care. The criteria are first understanding the patient’s unique experience, which involves encouraging the patient to narrate their symptoms, fears, and concerns that help the physician acknowledge the patient’s unique information based on the illness and other factors. Effective communication also involves the provision of information and responding to emotions. For instance, the physician must provide information such as treatment options, prognosis, and empowerment for effective decision-making. The other criterion is the patient’s involvement in decision-making about their treatment.
Managed care is a term used in healthcare to highlight the strategies aimed at controlling the cost and utilization of healthcare services in the delivery of care to patients (Zoloth-Dorfman & Rubin, 1995). These authors highlighted that in recent years, the patient has been treated as a commodity, and therefore, despite the healthcare regulations to offer affordable care, some of the various healthcare services are relatively expensive to be afforded by the patients. This has affected the healthcare outcomes and delivery to the patients. In the medical profession, ‘managed care’ assists in regulating the overpricing of medical services to patients (Zoloth-Dorfman & Rubin, 1995).
Shay (1991) identified that “Docs-in-a-Box” is a controversial medicine that aims to enhance the provision of cost-effective and affordable healthcare services to patients. The characteristics of the “Docs-in-a-Box” clinics are that patients do not make appointments and do not offer inpatient services but containment care for patients in need of care. These clinics enhance the freedom of patients to acquire the care they need at the most manageable cost.
References
Cassell, E. J. (1985). Talking with patients, volume 2: Clinical technique (Vol. 2). MIT Press.
Fisher, S. (1984). Doctor‐patient communication: a social and micro‐political performance. Sociology of health & illness, 6(1), 1-29. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9566.1984.tb00443.x
Ishikawa, H., Takayama, T., Yamazaki, Y., Seki, Y., & Katsumata, N. (2002). Physician–patient communication and patient satisfaction in Japanese cancer consultations. Social science & medicine, 55(2), 301-311. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0277-9536(01)00173-3
Shay, D. (1991). Controversial medicine. Canadian Family Physician, 37, 2330. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2145529/pdf/canfamphys00141-0022a.pdf
Trummer, U. F., Mueller, U. O., Nowak, P., Stidl, T., & Pelikan, J. M. (2006). Does physician–patient communication aim at empowering patients to improve clinical outcomes?: A case study. Patient education and counseling, 61(2), 299-306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2005.04.009
Zoloth-Dorfman, L., & Rubin, S. (1995). The patient as a commodity: Managed care and the question of ethics. The Journal of Clinical Ethics, 6(4), 339-357. https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/JCE199506410?casa_token=
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