An essential understanding of physician-patient communication. Part I

The first of two parts, this article explores the question, "Is there a communication problem between patients and physicians?" It reviews both available literature on the topic of physician-patient communication and survey results that indicate a high degree of patient dissatisfaction with their relationships with physicians. One view of how to understand the relationship focuses on the patient as a consumer who must have the ability to choose a care provider and the information necessary to make informed choices. Other models embracing the scientific paradigm are also described.