The cognitive model. Interventions for improved patient-provider communication

1. Improving patient-provider interactions mandates an understanding on the part of health care providers of patients' situations, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. 2. The cognitive model, a cornerstone of cognitive therapy, provides a framework to understand the patient's perspective of his or her situation or illness, which is a necessary component of effective patient-provider interactions. 3. Distance learning formats provide flexibility in meeting continuing education needs and allow learners and presenters to interact in a virtual mode.