Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Practitioners' use of non-verbal behaviour in real consultations
Abstract:
Our analysis of real consultations in general practice suggests that eye contact and movements of the body are extremely important in effecting communication between patients and doctors. We have studied non-verbal behaviour in relation to verbal exchanges, and believe that non-verbal behaviour can aid or hinder communication and may sometimes prevent it.We give examples from general practice consultations and conclude that eye contact and posture are particularly significant when coupled with open questions or silences or when they occur at points in the consultation when the patient has reached a crucial part in disclosure.We also believe that the doctor's use of medical records during consultations is most important, and we give examples.We suggest that the non-verbal behaviour of doctors in the general practice consultation is a topic of immense importance and needs much further study.
More Related Videos
05:48The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
Published on: June 12, 2020
07:14Virtual Agent for Real-Time Motivational Interviewing by Integrating Adaptive Nonverbal Behavior and Language Models
Published on: December 23, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Therapeutic Communication
Verbal communication depends on language or a prescribed way of using words so that people can share information effectively. The critical aspects of verbal...
Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
Techniques of Therapeutic Communication II: Focusing, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
This therapeutic technique can also be used when a patient brings up pertinent information during a health-related conversation. The...
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Channels of Non-Verbal Communication
Non-Verbal Cues