Table 1 Patients’ perceptions on performance and need for communication skills (N = 480)
Activities | Performed during the last consultation % | Expect to be Performed in the future % | |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Doctor greets patient | 65.6 | 73.3 |
2 | Doctor introduces him/herself | 10.4 | 37.4 |
3 | Doctor uses the patient’s name in communication | 38.4 | 46.2 |
4 | Doctor listens attentively while patient talks | 93.3 | 98.5 |
5 | Doctor expresses sympathy with patient | 86.0 | 97.1 |
6 | Doctor expresses a positive and encouraging attitude towards patient’s efforts in taking care of health | 30.2 | 60.6 |
7 | Doctor check whether he/she understood exactly what patient said/would like to say | 52.9 | 83.5 |
8 | Doctor asks if there is anything else that patient would like to share. | 44.6 | 81.6 |
9 | Doctor informs the patient what he/she is going to do | 63.3 | 90.6 |
10 | Doctor explains the needs for examination/ test | 57.3 | 89.8 |
11 | Doctor conducts examination in respectful manner | 91.9 | 98.3 |
12 | Doctor informs patient about results of examination | 76.9 | 98.3 |
13 | Doctor informs patient about diagnosis, hypothesis. | 62.9 | 91.2 |
14 | Doctor informs patient about possible prognosis of the disease | 58.5 | 92.1 |
15 | Doctor discusses with patient about treatment methods with advantages and disadvantages of each method | 39.4 | 81.2 |
16 | Doctor summarizes what he/she and patient agreed | 46.0 | 77.7 |
17 | Doctor asks if the patient has any difficulty to follow the treatment course described by the doctor | 31.0 | 77.3 |
18 | Doctor asks patient to repeat main issues in treatment course | 26.7 | 59.6 |
19 | Doctor asks if patient is satisfied with the consultation | 15.6 | 41.2 |
20 | Doctor thanks the patient | 12.1 | 33.5 |