Table 3.

Steps to manage difficulties in physician-patient communication.

Steps for Improving Physician-Patient Communication

Recognizing the existence of one or more barriers, implicit or explicit, in the interaction with the patient. Defining the barriers concretely through different hypotheses-testing and data exploration. Sharing this process with the patient, making him/her participant of the origins of the barrier. Taking action to cope with the barrier or obstacle: working as a team with the patient to establish priorities and make decisions, using active listening and empathy.

Note: Source: [98,99,100].