ACOG Committee Opinion No. 492: Effective patient-physician communication.

Perhaps the greatest contemporary challenge in implementing the principles of effective communication lies in our current health care environment that demands increasing physician productivity and less time with each patient. Effective patient-physician communication with the use of patient-centered interviewing, caring communication skills, and shared decision making will help. The use of physician extenders and, in select situations, e-mail communication with established patients also can be beneficial.