The Need to Change the Doctor - Patient Communication Model in Contemporary Medical Practice

Dr. Tsvetelina Shopnikolova, PhD

doi:10.23958/ijirms/vol10-i09/2125

Abstract

Communication between doctor and patient is a key factor for the effectiveness of the diagnostic–therapeutic process and achieving sustainable health outcomes. Despite technological advances and increasingly sophisticated treatments, insufficient information exchange and mutual understanding can compromise the quality of medical care. This article examines the necessity of transitioning from the traditional, hierarchical, often one-way communication model to a modern, bidirectional, partnership-based approach founded on empathy, active listening, and shared decision-making. The methodology includes a systematic review of scientific literature and a comparative analysis of existing communication models. The results indicate that improving communication leads to higher patient satisfaction, better adherence to treatment regimens, a reduction in medical errors, and optimized resource use, particularly in terms of time efficiency and more effective allocation of healthcare personnel. The conclusion is that transforming the communication model is imperative for modern healthcare, especially in the context of digitalization and rising health literacy.

Keywords

communicationdoctor–patienthealth literacytrustmedical ethics

References

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Shopnikolova, T., Vodenicharova, A., & Yanakieva, A. (2024). Mental well-being of medical university students in Bulgaria. Health Policy and Management, 24(3).Google Scholar ↗
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[refR-1] Achterbosch, M., Vart, P., van Dijk, L., & van Boven, J. F. M. (2023). Shared decision making and medication adherence in patients with COPD and/or asthma: The ANANAS study. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 14, Article 1283135. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1283135DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-2] Balkanska, P. (2003). Empathic behavior in medical practice. In Medical Pedagogy (pp. 216–225). EKS-PRESS.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-3] Balkanska, P. (2019). Communication in medical practice: Theoretical aspects and practical approaches. Sofia: St. Kliment Ohridski University Press.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-4] Campos, C. F. C., Olivo, C. R., Martins, M. A., & Tempski, P. Z. (2024). Physicians’ attention to patients’ communication cues can improve patient satisfaction with care and perception of physicians’ empathy. Clinics (São Paulo), 79, Article 100377.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-5] Derksen, F., Bensing, J., & Lagro-Janssen, T. (2013). Effectiveness of empathy in general practice: A systematic review. British Journal of General Practice, 63(606), e76–e84.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-6] Elwyn, G., et al. (2022). Shared decision making, patient-centered communication and patient satisfaction: A cross-sectional analysis. Patient Education and Counseling, 105(6), 1402–1409.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-7] Elwyn, G., Frosch, D., Thomson, R., Joseph-Williams, N., Lloyd, A., Kinnersley, P., Cording, E., Tomson, D., Dodd, C., Rollnick, S., Edwards, A., & Barry, M. (2022). Shared decision making, patient-centered communication, and patient satisfaction: A cross-sectional analysis. Patient Education and Counseling, 105(7), 2145–2150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2022.03.012DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-8] Garov, S., Goranova-Spasova, R., & Enchev, A. (2017). Current challenges in health communication. Health Policy and Management, 17(2), 77–79.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-9] Haupt, K., Wohn, C., Kane, B., Carroll, T., Guigno, C., Kumar, V., Schubert, L., & Hoque, E. (2023). Validating a virtual human and automated feedback system for training doctor-patient communication skills. arXiv. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2306.15213DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-10] Hojat, M., Mangione, S., Nasca, T. J., Cohen, M. J., & Gonnella, J. S. (2016). The Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy: Development and preliminary psychometric data. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 76(6), 946–962.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-11] Mladenov, R., Vodenicharova, A., & Yanakieva, A. (2015). The need to study patient satisfaction to improve healthcare quality. In 36th Scientific and Technological Session CONTACT 2015: Interdisciplinary Idea in Action (pp. 20–24). Sofia.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-12] Nguyen, A. D., White, S. J., Tse, T., et al. (2024). Communication during telemedicine consultations in general practice: Perspectives from general practitioners and their patients. BMC Primary Care, 25, Article 324. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02576-1DOI ↗Google Scholar ↗

[refR-13] Nenova, E. (2022). Healthcare marketing: Strategies for successful communication. Sofia: Ciela Publishing.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-14] Olson, J. K. (1995). Relationships between nurse-expressed empathy, patient-perceived empathy and patient distress. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 27(4), 323–327.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-15] Raykova, S. (2019). Psychology of communication between doctors and patients. Varna: Medical University – Varna.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-16] Savova, Z., & Vodenicharova, A. (2015). Prevention of professional stress: Opportunities from psychological science. In First National Scientific Conference on Occupational Medicine, Work Capacity and Safety (pp. 358–366). Sofia Balkan Hotel.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-17] Savova, Z. (2015). Medical psychology. Mont.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-18] Shopnikolova, T., Vodenicharova, A., & Yanakieva, A. (2024). Mental well-being of medical university students in Bulgaria. Health Policy and Management, 24(3).Google Scholar ↗

[refR-19] Shopnikolova, T., Yanakieva, A., & Vodenicharova, A. (2021). Challenges in communication in general medical practice. In Proceedings of the 46th Scientific and Technological Session "CONTACT 2021". Tempo Publishing.Google Scholar ↗

[refR-20] Tacheva, V. (2014). Communicative skills in medical practice. Varna: Steno.Google Scholar ↗