OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to generate empirically based 'tips' from lay people on how medical consultations could become more successful from a patient perspective. METHODS: 258 Lay people in the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands, distributed over 32 focus groups, were invited to formulate 'tips' for doctors as well as patients after rating the quality of communication from videotaped consultations and discussing their arguments in focus groups. RESULTS: Tips were remarkably similar across the four countries. Most tips reflect the professional literature, such as the importance of nonverbal communication, personal attention and empathy, but also addressed issues as how to deal with new technologies and new accessibility arrangements (triage). The tips were targeted to the consultation itself, its preparation and the aftercare. Tips for doctors were mirrored in tips for patients. CONCLUSION: Lay people seem to be competent in participating in quality-of-care debates. They are well aware of patients' own responsibilities. Besides, they have clear opinions about novel technology and healthcare arrangements (triage). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Listening to patients, showing empathy and personal attention seem to have a universal value. Doctors should be trained to practice these behaviors, healthcare managers in involving patients in practice reorganisations.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to generate empirically based 'tips' from lay people on how medical consultations could become more successful from a patient perspective. METHODS: 258 Lay people in the United Kingdom, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands, distributed over 32 focus groups, were invited to formulate 'tips' for doctors as well as patients after rating the quality of communication from videotaped consultations and discussing their arguments in focus groups. RESULTS: Tips were remarkably similar across the four countries. Most tips reflect the professional literature, such as the importance of nonverbal communication, personal attention and empathy, but also addressed issues as how to deal with new technologies and new accessibility arrangements (triage). The tips were targeted to the consultation itself, its preparation and the aftercare. Tips for doctors were mirrored in tips for patients. CONCLUSION: Lay people seem to be competent in participating in quality-of-care debates. They are well aware of patients' own responsibilities. Besides, they have clear opinions about novel technology and healthcare arrangements (triage). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Listening to patients, showing empathy and personal attention seem to have a universal value. Doctors should be trained to practice these behaviors, healthcare managers in involving patients in practice reorganisations.
Authors: Frans Awm Derksen; Tim C Olde Hartman; Jozien M Bensing; Antoine Lm Lagro-Janssen Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2016-10-10 Impact factor: 5.386
Authors: Maria A Mazzi; Michela Rimondini; Myriam Deveugele; Christa Zimmermann; Francesca Moretti; Liesbeth van Vliet; Giuseppe Deledda; Ian Fletcher; Jozien Bensing Journal: Health Expect Date: 2013-06-25 Impact factor: 3.377
Authors: Hinke Hoffstädt; Jacqueline Stouthard; Maartje C Meijers; Janine Westendorp; Inge Henselmans; Peter Spreeuwenberg; Paul de Jong; Sandra van Dulmen; Liesbeth M van Vliet Journal: Palliat Med Rep Date: 2020-06-11
Authors: Anna Nánási; Tímea Ungvári; László R Kolozsvári; Szilvia Harsányi; Zoltán Jancsó; Levente I Lánczi; Lajos Mester; Csaba Móczár; Csilla Semanova; Péter Schmidt; Judit Szidor; Péter Torzsa; Mária Végh; Imre Rurik Journal: Prim Health Care Res Dev Date: 2021-06-01 Impact factor: 1.458