[Communications in health care-- with a focus on adult patients' and children's/adolescents' perspectives of quality].

In this article communications problems in health care are illuminated from the perspectives of both adult patients and children. Factors that promote successful communication are described and studies about the effect of communication courses reviewed. Lack of information and responsiveness are among the problems most often reported. The perspective of children and adolescents is a relatively unexplored area. Studies investigating the effects of communication courses from patients' perspectives are required.