Patient–health care provider (HCP) communication has long been identified as playing an essential role in medical care, say the authors of an article titled “Improving communication between healthcare providers and pulmonary arterial hypertension patients: a survey of patient preferences”, published in Pulmonary Hypertension. The objective of this study was to determine the words and phrases pulmonary arterial hypertension patients prefer to hear when discussing their disease with their physician. A total of 227 individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension patients completed the survey from 24 to 30 January 2020. The survey that included a 20-item questionnaire specifically designed to assess patient preference for words and phrases when discussing their disease and treatment.
The results of this survey, the authors say, provide an invaluable understanding in regard to how patients prefer their HCPs communicate with them. How HCPs communicate may have an effect on the relationship and ultimately on acceptance of therapy, and hopefully, outcomes. Based on the current literature, this is the first study examining PAH patients’ preferences for words and phrases they favour HCPS use while discussing their disease as well as the treatment of their disease. The results of this survey revealed several themes as to how to best communicate with patients.
Full text of article is available online from the Pulmonary Circulation web page at this link
Citation
Brewer J, Bartlett M, Harris D, Hui C. Improving communication between healthcare providers and pulmonary arterial hypertension patients: a survey of patient preferences. Pulm Circ. 2021 May 21;11(2):20458940211015813. doi: 10.1177/20458940211015813. PMID: 34094504; PMCID: PMC8141997.