It could be demonstrated that solely interacting with patients during a clinical treatment course did not inevitably improve professional communication skills. In contrast, implementation of a course in communication skills improved the practical competence in dentist-patient interaction.

The trials performed to date to addressing the effect of SDM on patient-relevant, disease-related endpoints are insufficient in both quantity and quality. Although just under half of the trials reviewed here indicated a positive effect, no final conclusion can be drawn. A consensus-based standardization of both SDM-promoting measures and appropriate clinical studies are needed.

multimedia tool for the informed consent of patients prior to gastric banding. Obesity. 2007; 15:2866 -2873. Objective: Severe obesity is a clear indication for appropriate, effective weight loss therapy. One option is operative intervention, e.g., gastric banding. Risks of the operation and therapeutic alternatives need to be comprehensibly presented to the patient. The literature has shown that better informed consent is obtained using information presented in a multimedia/video-based format. The current study developed and evaluated a multimedia program aimed at obtaining informed consent from obese patients before gastric banding. Research Methods and Procedure: An interactive multimedia program was developed with information about preoperative examinations, the operation itself, hospital stay, operative risks, alternative therapies, and the pathophysiology and health risks of obesity. Two groups (Group 1, n ϭ 20, mean age 38 years, informed consent attained with conventional document information; Group 2, n ϭ 20, mean age 37 years, informed consent attained with additional multimedia information) were interviewed regarding comprehensibility of the information presented, personal satisfaction, and anxiety levels during the informed consent process.Results: Group 2 showed significantly better (p Ͻ 0.05) understanding of the presented information and higher levels of satisfaction with the informed consent process. Anxiety levels did not significantly differ between the two groups. Discussion: Because patient satisfaction with the informed consent process and understanding of the presented information significantly improved, the multimedia program clearly benefits both surgeons and patients. Personal contact from the surgeon remains essential. High volumes of information presented in multimedia format do not alleviate patient anxiety, and personal contact may be beneficial.

Use of the multimedia-based program was positively evaluated by patients, and significantly improved patients' perceived understanding of their disease and its treatment. It is, therefore, valuable in the informed consent process.

It will be worthwhile to survey and evaluate the opinion of additional members of the medical profession and of patients and others with a stake in the health system--comparing and delineating results from different countries--so that a more comprehensive picture can be drawn of "the good doctor".