Doctor Patient Communication—A Vital Yet Neglected Entity in Indian Medical Education System

Abstract

Doctor patient communication is the most important and an integral part of any treatment regimen. Properly carried out it has been shown to have a therapeutic effect equivalent to drugs. Despite being so important part of treatment it is more than often taken and carried out casually. Apart from apathy towards this practice, its omission in the medical study curriculum is an important factor. This study was carried in amongst the surgical residents of surgical departments of various medical colleges to assess the attitude of surgical residents towards patient doctor communication. A questionnaire was forwarded by mail and email and the response was assessed: The responses of the surgical residents from various residents from different medical colleges were similar. Most of the residents prefer inclusion of communication skill in medical education curriculum.

Investigating discharge communication for chronic disease patients in three hospitals in India

“…[37] The results may also be somewhat explained by a historical lack of communication training in medical education and a tendency for paternalistic physician behaviour in India. [57,58] A dominant HCP communication style is likely to result in unmet information needs from patients, due to them feeling intimidated and unable to ask questions. Similar communicative issues have been identified across healthcare settings in other parts of Asia, despite an increasing desire from patients for more involvement.…”

Empathy in Physician–Patient Relationship: The Construct and Its Applicability to India’s Health Care

“…Pointing out that empathy and effective doctor patient communication forms a part of training curricula in medical and nursing colleges in many parts of the world, they urge for a need to imbibe this practice in Indian medical schools to foster a better therapeutic relationship. 'Empathy is sincere and successful when a patient acknowledges that he or she has been seen, heard, and accepted as a person' (Agarwal et al, 2011). The larger macro application of empathy necessitates that empathy is formally accepted as a value in medical education and that learners of medicine practice the value while they serve care.…”

“…In rural India, where the physician-population ratio is low, how do the physicians cope up with the workload and to what extent can they survive and strike a balance between their own private lives on one hand and delivery of empathetic care to the patients? Based on their own survey findings on resident surgeons in India's four medical colleges, Agarwal et al (2011) point out to the lack of effective communication and very little conversation time spent by surgeons with the patients to highlight the need for effective physician patient communication. They see patient contact with a physician as a step towards 'reconnection' as an ill patient disconnects from society, and a need for a physician to provide for listening and healing comfort.…”

What's New in Emergencies, Trauma, and Shock – Addressing Communication Gaps

“…[ 3 ] A survey of surgical residents across four medical colleges reported that 81.7% did not receive any training in communication skills, and in emergency surgeries, 32% of the residents spent less than 1 min conversing with their families. [ 4 ] Ineffective communication can lead to a lack of understanding of disease process and result in disproportionate expectations from the given clinical scenario by the family. There is a glaring need for the implementation of communication teaching in our curriculum, which should focus on empowering students with desirable communication skills to diffuse situations and develop an empathetic approach to our patients.…”