Promoting patient participation in healthcare interactions through communication skills training: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective To present literature on training patients in the use of effective communication skills. Methods Systematic searches were conducted in six databases. References were screened for inclusion through several phases. Extracted data included intervention study design, sample characteristics, content and structure of training programs, outcomes assessed, and findings reported. Results A total of 32 unique intervention studies were included. Most targeted primary care or cancer patients and used a randomized controlled study design. Interventions used a variety of training formats and modes of delivering educational material. Reported findings suggest that communication training is an effective approach to increase patients’ total level of active participation in healthcare interactions and that some communication behaviors may be more amenable to training (e.g., expressing concerns). Trained patients do not have longer visits and tend to receive more information from their providers. Most studies have found no relationship between communication training and improved health, psychosocial wellbeing, or treatment-related outcomes. Conclusions Findings reinforce the importance and potential benefits of patient communication training. Practice Implications Additional research is warranted to determine the most efficacious training programs with the strongest potential for dissemination.

Development of a communication and health literacy curriculum: Optimizing the informal cancer caregiver role

“…Identification of a cancer caregiver communication and health literacy curriculum is imperative to the development of clinical practice aimed at supporting the caregiver. Communication training has been provided for the oncologist and for the patient, yet no support has been developed to equip the caregiver with skills necessary to enhance communication and health literacy. Communication among caregiver and patient, family, and health care providers has a strong influence on the caregiving experience .…”

Health Literacy, Health Numeracy, and Trust in Doctor: Effects on Key Patient Health Outcomes

“…Further, and similarly, how can written materials disseminated by health care practitioners be presented in a manner that enhances patient self‐efficacy and understanding? Though focused on communicative health literacy, the findings of D'Agostino et al () suggest that as written materials become clearer and more easily understood, patient's active participation in their health care increases.…”

Family Oncology Caregivers and Relational Health Literacy

“…In addition to increasing healthcare providers' awareness and understandings of health literacy, communication can help mitigate difficulties and barriers across stakeholders. Promoting healthcare providers' communication skills can not only enhance patients' participation in decision-making but also increases the likelihood that patients/caregivers understand treatment procedures and follow the recommended regimens [55,56].…”