3007. Improving Doctor-Patient Communication
Maria E Suarez-Almazor, MD, MS, PhD, Houston Center for Quality of Care & Utilization Studies, Houston VAMC and Baylor College of Medicine, PM Haidet, Houston Center for Quality of Care & Utilization Studies, Houston VAMC and Baylor College of Medicine, HS Gordon, Houston Center for Quality of Care & Utilization Studies, Houston VAMC and Baylor College of Medicine, RL Street, Texas A&M University

Workshop Objectives: The medical interaction is a crucial element of patient care, but it has been shown that patients typically express few opinions and ask few questions during the encounter, and that physicians infrequently solicit patients’ views and questions. Communication behaviors during the medical interaction have been proven to be associated with patient satisfaction, adherence to physician recommendations, and likelihood of malpractice claims. Furthermore, biomedical health outcomes are affected by elements of the physician-patient interactions. Clinical trials assessing interventions designed to improve doctor-patient communication have shown improvement in health outcomes for patients in the intervention groups. Our principal objective is to provide clinicians and investigators with state-of-the-art knowledge about the significance of the medical interaction in the management of patients.

Workshop Activities: Participants will achieve the following learning objectives: 1.Understand the role of medical interactions in health outcomes. 2.Gain knowledge of scientific advances and application of this knowledge to the management of patients. 3.Develop a basic understanding of the scientific methods and techniques used to study medical interactions. 4.Identify strategies to maximize doctor-patient communication. 5.Learn to engage patient participation through clinically effective communicative styles.

Target Audience: The workshop will involve didactic and interactive teaching about doctor-patient communication and outcomes. Topics will include an overview of doctor-patient communication research, methods for studying the medical interaction, the medical interaction as a determinant of health outcomes, and techniques for maximizing the medical encounter to provide effective care. The workshop will conclude with a panel discussion to address questions from the audience