Effective Patient–Physician Communication

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Abstract

Effective communication between physicians and patients is the cornerstone of the patient -physician relationship. Effective communication practices can build positive relationships, enable sharing power, and lead to mutual trust. Moreover, effective patient -physician communication improves patient experiences and health outcomes. The building blocks of relationship-centered communication include acknowledgment of a patient’s identity and experiences, clarity of information, patient activation and participation, knowledge-related power and authority, emotional proximity and shared experiences, and managing health care and relational goals. In practical terms, this translates to communication behaviors that demonstrate humility to close the patient -physician relationship distance and achieve effective communication, particularly for marginalized patient populations.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

Based on the principles outlined in this Committee Statement, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) makes the following recommendations for how obstetrician–gynecologists can improve communication with patients:

• – Utilize relationship-centered communication skills with every patient to help mitigate power differentials within the patient–physician relationship, especially with patients from marginalized communities.
• – Pause and reflect to interrupt biases and apply empathy and cultural humility to improve relationship-centered care, especially when there is racial, ethnic, or linguistic discordance between patients and physicians.
• – Apply best practices when working with interpreters and patients who speak languages other than English.