April 13, 2001

Studies have shown that most patients want to be listened to and cared about by their doctors, and they want their doctors to listen to and care about them. They also want to feel involved in the decisions about their health care. But in today's fast-paced health care environment, caregivers often find it challenging to deliver personalized, compassionate care to patients. One factor that can improve the relationship between concerned patients and stressed clinicians can be a simple one: better communication.

The Massachusetts General Physicians Organization, the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center and the Risk Management Foundation recently hosted a forum to discuss the latest evidence about the difference good communication can make in health outcomes, medical-legal risk and the clinician-patient relationship.

The program, called "Talk is (NOT) Cheap," featured guest speaker Terry Stein, MD, (left) director of Clinician-Patient Communication for the Permanente Medical Group of Northern California. Her presentation highlighted research that shows what patients want from the clinician-patient relationship, and helped identify how health outcomes are affected by good communication. The program also featured a workshop about how clinicians can handle difficult patient interactions.

For more information or to receive a copy of forum materials, call (617) 724-1004.