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[Nonsymmetrical communication in clinical visits (author's transl)]
Medizinische Klinik
|November 5, 1976
Summary
Physicians often avoid discussing illness details with severely ill patients, using less direct communication. This tendency is more pronounced in traditionally trained doctors compared to those with psychosomatic training.
Area of Science:
- Medical Communication
- Physician Behavior
- Patient-Doctor Relationship
Context:
- Hospitals
- Severely ill patients
- Physician's response to patient information demands
Purpose:
- Empirically demonstrate physician reactions to patient information requests
- Analyze verbal communication strategies
- Identify factors influencing communication patterns
Summary:
- Four physician reaction types identified: disregard, topic shift, reference-information, and functional uncertainty.
- Nonsymmetrical communication is more frequent with severely ill patients.
- Traditionally trained physicians exhibit more nonsymmetrical communication than those with psychosomatic/psychotherapeutic training.
Impact:
- Highlights disparities in communication based on patient severity and physician training.
- Suggests implications for medical education and physician training.
- Underscores the need for improved communication skills in healthcare settings.