Promoting patient participation in healthcare interactions through communication skills training: A systematic review Journal Article


Authors: D'Agostino, T. A.; Atkinson, T. M.; Latella, L. E.; Rogers, M.; Morrissey, D.; DeRosa, A. P.; Parker, P. A.
Article Title: Promoting patient participation in healthcare interactions through communication skills training: A systematic review
Abstract: Objective To present literature on training patients in the use of effective communication skills. Methods Systematic searches were conducted in six databases. References were screened for inclusion through several phases. Extracted data included intervention study design, sample characteristics, content and structure of training programs, outcomes assessed, and findings reported. Results A total of 32 unique intervention studies were included. Most targeted primary care or cancer patients and used a randomized controlled study design. Interventions used a variety of training formats and modes of delivering educational material. Reported findings suggest that communication training is an effective approach to increase patients’ total level of active participation in healthcare interactions and that some communication behaviors may be more amenable to training (e.g., expressing concerns). Trained patients do not have longer visits and tend to receive more information from their providers. Most studies have found no relationship between communication training and improved health, psychosocial wellbeing, or treatment-related outcomes. Conclusions Findings reinforce the importance and potential benefits of patient communication training. Practice implications Additional research is warranted to determine the most efficacious training programs with the strongest potential for dissemination. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: treatment outcome; review; cancer patient; patient education; data base; health care; intervention study; patient participation; systematic review; communication skill; health promotion; doctor-patient communication; social aspect; primary medical care; randomized controlled trial (topic); communication skills; communication training; human; priority journal; psychological well-being
Journal Title: Patient Education and Counseling
Volume: 100
Issue: 7
ISSN: 0738-3991
Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd.  
Date Published: 2017-07-01
Start Page: 1247
End Page: 1257
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2017.02.016
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC5466484
PUBMED: 28238421
DOI/URL:
Notes: Review -- Export Date: 1 December 2017 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Thomas Michael Atkinson
    155 Atkinson
  2. Antonio P DeRosa
    35 DeRosa
  3. Patricia Ann Parker
    91 Parker
  4. Madeline Cullity Rogers
    6 Rogers