BACKGROUND: During doctor-patient interactions, many messages are transmitted without words, through non-verbal communication. AIM: To elucidate the types of non-verbal behaviours perceived by patients interacting with family GPs and to determine which cues are perceived most frequently. DESIGN OF STUDY: In-depth interviews with patients of family GPs. SETTING: Nine family practices in different regions of Poland. METHOD: At each practice site, interviews were performed with four patients who were scheduled consecutively to see their family doctor. RESULTS: Twenty-four of 36 studied patients spontaneously perceived non-verbal behaviours of the family GP during patient-doctor encounters. They reported a total of 48 non-verbal cues. The most frequent features were tone of voice, eye contact, and facial expressions. Less frequent were examination room characteristics, touch, interpersonal distance, GP clothing, gestures, and posture. CONCLUSION: Non-verbal communication is an important factor by which patients spontaneously describe and evaluate their interactions with a GP. Family GPs should be trained to better understand and monitor their own non-verbal behaviours towards patients.
BACKGROUND: During doctor-patient interactions, many messages are transmitted without words, through non-verbal communication. AIM: To elucidate the types of non-verbal behaviours perceived by patients interacting with family GPs and to determine which cues are perceived most frequently. DESIGN OF STUDY: In-depth interviews with patients of family GPs. SETTING: Nine family practices in different regions of Poland. METHOD: At each practice site, interviews were performed with four patients who were scheduled consecutively to see their family doctor. RESULTS: Twenty-four of 36 studied patients spontaneously perceived non-verbal behaviours of the family GP during patient-doctor encounters. They reported a total of 48 non-verbal cues. The most frequent features were tone of voice, eye contact, and facial expressions. Less frequent were examination room characteristics, touch, interpersonal distance, GP clothing, gestures, and posture. CONCLUSION: Non-verbal communication is an important factor by which patients spontaneously describe and evaluate their interactions with a GP. Family GPs should be trained to better understand and monitor their own non-verbal behaviours towards patients.
Authors: Francesco De Micco; Vittorio Fineschi; Giuseppe Banfi; Paola Frati; Antonio Oliva; Guido Vittorio Travaini; Mario Picozzi; Giuseppe Curcio; Leandro Pecchia; Tommasangelo Petitti; Rossana Alloni; Enrico Rosati; Anna De Benedictis; Vittoradolfo Tambone Journal: Front Med (Lausanne) Date: 2022-06-15
Authors: Stacie A Salsbury; James W DeVocht; Maria A Hondras; Michael B Seidman; Clark M Stanford; Christine M Goertz Journal: Chiropr Man Therap Date: 2014-12-03