Principles and Steps in the Communication between Physician and Patient

Overview

The author presents a summary of principles of communication between physician and patientand discusses how to achieve satisfactory collaboration. He submits an account on individualsteps and techniques of establishing contact, encouraging the patient to describe his complaints,defines cooperation between physician and patient, discusses basic principles how to createa pleasant atmosphere and sensation of safety, deals with training of the patient and hisinvolvement in treatment, he provides advice how to improve the surprisingly low generalstandard of cooperation, mentions what causes the patient’s dissatisfaction with consultationsand how to terminate the interview.

Key words:
medical interview - interview of physician and patient - communication - compliance.