The significance of effective physician-patient communication to positive treatment outcomes

Abstract

Communication is globally agreed to promote good interpersonal relationships. In the business world, good interpersonal relationship between the boss and his subordinates promotes productivity and company’s efficiency. In the ‘Pygmalion Theory’, it is confirmed that communication promotes subordinates performances1. Generally, successful relationships in all human endeavors can be enhanced by communication2. Studies have shown that there are strong relationships between physicianspatient communication and the outcome of care. This is because doctor-patient communication does not only work on the psychological stability of the patient necessary for better treatment outcome; it also helps to reduce treatment errors from both parties3.