Communicating with adult patients
In today’s era of freedom, individuality, and autonomy, healthcare professionals face the crucial task of sharing uncomfortable information with patients and their families. Globally, health communication practices have evolved from a stance of ‘overprotection’ regarding difficult information to embracing a more open and communicative culture.
Our collaborative research on patients’ communication preferences involved gathering insights from various stakeholders. In the context of oncology settings, we explored the central role of family in communication. Our findings underscore the family’s supportive function, the nuanced balance between respecting patient autonomy and the family’s instinct to protect, and the evolving nature of communication preferences over time. These insights highlight the importance of training oncologists in effective communication strategies that encompass interactions with patients’ relatives.
Our research laid the foundation for developing specialized cancer communication skills training tailored for India and neighboring countries. Since then, we have successfully implemented this training across diverse health settings. Our programs have benefited doctors, medical students, trainee nurses, senior nursing staff, clinical psychologists, and allied health professionals.
Prof Rajeev Sarin (MVI 8469) reflects on the importance of communicating with patients
- Datta SS, Tripathi L, Varghese R, Logan J, Gessler S, Chatterjee S, Bhaumik J, Menon U. (2016) Pivotal role of families in doctor-patient communication in oncology: a qualitative study of patients, their relatives and cancer clinicians. Eur J Cancer Care 2017 Sep;26(5) e12543. DOI: 10.1111/ecc.12543
- Daruvala R, Datta SS, Ahmed R (2016) When Thoughts Become Words: Ethics of Communications in Health Care In Ethical Practice in Medicine: Contemporary Communications (edited by Roy K and Datta SS). Kolkata: Network for Promotion of Ethics in Medicine (full text available here)
- Datta SS, Agrawal S. Can e-learning help you to connect compassionately? Commentary on a palliative care e-learning resource for India. Ecancermedicalscience 2017 Oct 19;11:ed72. DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2017.ed72