Reflections of Communication in Healthcare

Abstract

This article aims to reflect on the communication process as a valuable tool for providing quality, ethical, and appropriate care as based on first-hand reports I have received throughout my career as a psychologist. From my experience working with patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses and irreversible conditions in a hospital specialized in long-term care in the city of Suzano, located in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, it became clear to me how communication in the healthcare setting can promote relief, minimize suffering, and favor the success of the proposed treatment. Likewise, depending on the way it is practiced, not only can it negatively interfere with the biopsychosocial and spiritual spheres of patients and their families, but also harm the healthcare professional-patient relationship.