Good Communication within the Medical Consultation

Abstract: Background: Previous studies have shown the importance of good communication (GC) within the medical encounter; with patients‟ increased adherence and improved health, more effective consultations and more satisfied patients and physicians. Since society and the concept of GC have evolved over time it is important to continue the research on the characteristics of GC. Objective: To explore how GC is made possible within the medical encounter, in relation to what physicians and patients experience as good communication. Methods: Qualitative semi structured interviews of 10 physicians and 9 patients were conducted to enlighten the participants‟ experiences of GC. A phenomenological method of analysis was used to interpret the transcribed material. Results: The patients and the physicians respectively described GC with common themes. When the respective themes correspond, the Common Good Communication (cGC) is made possible. Further, cGC is established when the patients‟ requests, the “problem” that they bring to the consultation, correspond with the physicians‟ service, their “solution”. The requests and services are constituted of three focuses. The focuses can simultaneously be present in the individual consultation and co-exist in various extents. When the patient‟s main request coincide with the corresponding service of the physician, an alliance of shared understanding arises and cGC is made possible. Further, certain of the common themes differed in meaning due to the different focuses; indicating a complexity of the word‟s meaning and consequently, of GC. Conclusion: The main focuses depend on the medical condition, situation and the patient‟s and physician‟s personalities. However, it is desirable that physicians avoid a given and simple template of communication; and instead understand the complexity of GC and the whole spectrum of meaning of the terms that describe it. Only then, the physicians can begin to fully understand their patients with their different focuses of requests. The physicians can additionally adopt a meta-perspective, which embraces strategies from all three of the physicians‟ focus of service. This enables the physicians to meet the individual patients in their requests and establish cGC in every day practice; with positive effects for physicians, patients and the medical care system.