Research has shown that even when knowledgeable, if the HCP isn’t able to develop good channels of communication, they might actually be no help at all¹. The benefits of effective communication, however, are numerous. They can stretch from encouragement of a self-care revolution in wound care or self-catheterisation, where patients are sufficiently educated about their condition that they (or a carer) can confidently carry on their treatment at home, through to the communication of early and potentially avoidable risk factors for lifestyle diseases such as type II diabetes, encouraging effective changes to health habits and a subsequent risk reduction – all of which help to lessen the healthcare burden. Where physical presence isn’t possible, we look to well-developed patient information resources and HCP training materials to carry the flame for communication.

For patients, the notoriously subjective issue of pain is often clouded by an inability to accurately describe what is being felt, with potentially vague visual analogue scales still, to this day, often being the preferred method of analysis. Could this be a barrier to effective and comfortable communication? In a situation of a cancer diagnosis, how might different bedside manners affect both the absorption of potentially life-changing information, or the ongoing commitment to treatment?

Communication is the basis of forming relationships with others, and it isn’t just about talking – it is equally about active listening, building empathy, and putting yourself in others’ shoes to understand their world. Talking and the ensuing listening and understanding, can be therapy. When dealing with the intricacies of mental health, and with 21% of the adult population of Great Britain experiencing some form of depression in early 2021 following the Coronavirus pandemic², the importance of this mutual trust and understanding, and the bonds it can forge have been further highlighted.

It is hard to deny that communication can be the best medicine, yet we need to do more. We are responsible for the impact of our ability to talk and listen. Let’s start viewing the world through that lens.

References

• Asnani MR. (2009). Patient-physician communication. WestIndian Med J,58(4):357-61
• Office for National Statistics. Coronavirus and depression in adults. https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/articles/coronavirusanddepressioninadultsgreatbritain/januarytomarch2021. Accessed March 2022