Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
06:41
Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
Published on: February 25, 2011
Is communication a skill? Communication behaviors and being in relation
Kathy Zoppi1, Ronald M Epstein
1Department of Family Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis 46202-5102, USA. kzoppi@iupui.edu
Family Medicine
|June 1, 2002
Summary
Effective patient-physician communication involves both learned skills and mindful relational presence. Integrated teaching and research methods are crucial for cultivating this essential aspect of healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Medical Communication
- Psychology
- Education
Background:
- Patient-physician communication is viewed as both a skill and a mindful relational process.
- Existing research differentiates between skill-focused and mindful approaches to communication competence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate between the skill-focused and mindful approaches to patient-physician communication.
- To highlight the implications of these distinctions for teaching and research.
- To propose an integrated approach for cultivating effective communication.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of existing research and theoretical analyses on patient-physician communication.
- Analysis of the core tenets of skill-based and mindful relational approaches.
- Consideration of pedagogical and research methodologies.
Main Results:
- The skill-focused approach emphasizes observable behaviors, while the mindful approach focuses on participants' perceived relational effects.
- Effective teaching requires addressing both behavioral changes and the development of mindfulness.
- Research should incorporate both observer and participant perspectives.
Conclusions:
- Good communication is a dual construct: a teachable skill and an innate way of being.
- Cultivating effective patient-physician communication necessitates integrated teaching and research methods.
- Reconciling these perspectives enhances the understanding and practice of medical communication.
Related Concept Videos
01:03Communication
Communication between two animals occurs when one animal transmits an information signal that causes a change in the animal that receives the information. Organisms communicate with one another in a host of different ways. Signals can be auditory, chemical, visual, tactile, or a combination of these. Communication is a critical behavioral adaptation that promotes survival, growth, and reproduction.
01:28Communication
Sharing information, concepts, and emotions to foster mutual understanding is communication. The sender, recipient, and transaction must be considered in this manner. The sender is the person who shares the message, the recipient is the person who receives and understands the message, and the transaction is the method used to deliver the message and the variables that affect the communication's context and surroundings. The nurse-client connection is built on therapeutic communication.
Within...
Within...
01:29Levels of Communication I: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Small Group
Interpersonal communication focuses on the exchange of messages between two people.
We can participate in these relationships through verbal, nonverbal, and mediated communication. We engage in verbal communication when we use words during our interaction to convey specific meanings. On the other hand, nonverbal communication refers to various factors that can impact how we understand each other—for example, facial expressions.
We interact with others using mediated technologies like the...
We can participate in these relationships through verbal, nonverbal, and mediated communication. We engage in verbal communication when we use words during our interaction to convey specific meanings. On the other hand, nonverbal communication refers to various factors that can impact how we understand each other—for example, facial expressions.
We interact with others using mediated technologies like the...
01:27Levels of Communication II: Organizational, Public, and Group Dynamics
Effective communication is the foundation of a good organization. Communication is the lifeblood of an organization that connects the group with messages. In an organization, communication occurs in upward, downward, and horizontal lines. Downward communication travels from the administrative and senior levels to the staff through official channels such as manuals, rules and regulations, and organizational charts. Staff members initiate upward communication, which is addressed to executives and...
01:30Therapeutic Communication
Communication is a lifelong learning process. Through therapeutic communication, nurses can collect relevant assessment data, provide education and counseling, and interact during nursing interventions. Sending and receiving messages occur through verbal and nonverbal communication techniques and can happen separately or simultaneously.
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
01:29Factors Influencing Attraction V: Social Skills
Social skills play a crucial role in shaping interpersonal interactions and enhancing individuals' ability to navigate various social environments successfully. These skills contribute to personal and professional success, influencing how others perceive and treat individuals. High social skills provide distinct advantages in numerous settings, including romantic relationships, politics, and legal proceedings. In courtroom settings, for instance, defendants who exhibit strong social skills are...