Do your patients understand you correctly?

How poor patient communication leads to the same issues seen after an actual medical error.

According to a recent article in Medical News Today, poor doctor-patient communication can lead to the same issues that would be expected after an actual medical error.

These include poor outcomes, breakdowns in care and increased malpractice claims.

The article points out that communication is particularly important when dealing with chronic diseases, as patient understanding of the complications of their disease is key to patient activation. In short, a patient who understands the risks of their condition is more likely to be active in their own care.

Doctors are encouraged to work on their communication skills for better results during the consultation, and also take advantage of various educational resources and support groups that are available to patients.