Communication Skills Mentoring Program

Communication Skills in the News

Source: AAOS Headline News

Date: October 5, 2004

Patients value interpersonal skills more than training or knowledge says survey

People value a physician's good interpersonal skills even more than they value the doctor's good medical judgment and experience in dealing with a specific condition, according to the results of a Harris Interactive poll. More than eight of 10 respondents said it was "extremely important" for their doctor to treat them with dignity and respect, listen carefully to health care concerns and questions, be easy to talk to, take their concerns seriously, spend time with them, and care about them and their health. However, the survey also found that there is a large gap between what people want and what they get, particularly in the areas of spending time and being "up-to-date" on the latest in medical technology and treatments. Patients also indicated that they will switch doctors because of poor interpersonal skills, and more than one in four did so during the past five years.

For more information: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/index.asp?NewsID=850

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