Developing a Framework to Improve the Training of Medical Practitioners in Doctor-Patient Communication Toward Enhancing Societal Well Being

Abstract

Introduction: Doctor-patient communication is a crucial, unique yet complex relationship in clinical practice due to its therapeutic qualities. With the current emphasis on patient-centred care and patient autonomy, medical practitioners are not only expected to possess clinical and biomedical knowledge but also the skills to develop a therapeutic doctor-patient relationship. Nevertheless, this expectation proves to be an uphill battle to physicians as evidenced from patient complaints which among others include lack of appropriate non-verbal behaviours, absence of paralinguistic elements, lack of trust and empathy. Moreover, unsatisfactory doctorpatient communication has been identified as one of the major elements in litigation cases in the medical field. One fundamental factor which leads to this predicament is the ineffective training of communication skills at the medical schools. Hence, this project aspires to develop a training model on doctor-patient communication skills based on patient-centred approach. The model will give more emphasis on the linguistics and psychosocial aspects of communication. Materials and method: Utilising both qualitative and quantitative approaches i.e. survey, observation, interview, psychological profiling, persona analysis and document analysis, the project aims to identify 1) the key communicative features and 2) the key clinical and psychosocial features to be incorporated in the model. It will then operationalise these features to conceptualise an expert assistance system which shall be used in the training of future physicians. The study will be conducted at the IIUM Kulliyyah of Medicine and it will involve medical students at the undergraduate level. Conclusion: The findings from this proposed research are significant in improvising and enhancing the current training on communication skills provided at the medical schools. With a more ‘humane’ approach to training, indirectly, it will increase the effectiveness in the delivery of health care and achieve sustainability in good health and well-being (SDG3) of the nation.