"Health communication between theory and medical practice: the case of Romania"

Abstract

The positive correlations between communication in the healthcare domain, the quality of health services and the satisfaction extent of their beneficiaries are demonstrated in the present study. Considering the positive effects, upon patients, of communication in the healthcare field, the study aims at offering new data on the dynamics of the theories and practices of communication in this domain, special stress being laid on the fact that at least for East Europe, in Romania, all these aspects represent a real emergency, caused by the alarmingly increased dissatisfaction and distrust of Romanians in the public healthcare system. Accordingly, the study attempts to enrich the existing knowledge and understanding of the new directions of the communication theories and practices in the healthcare field. The scope of the research is a multiple one: providing a general perspective upon the already justified and validated theoretical and practical grounds that may renew the communicational attitudes manifested in the direct health providers-beneficiaries interactions; launching discussions among the specialists of the field as to the possibilities, opportunities, and efficiency of such theories' and practices' application in the actual underfunded health systems; rendering aware and more responsible the young specialists entering the domain, for building up their own style of communication, while convincing the policymakers to pay more attentionwhen elaborating their public health strategiesto the importance of communication, which may assure a higher quality of the healthcare services.