Communication Barriers Among Doctors And In-Patients In A Tertiary Care Hospital: A Clinical Audit

Abstract

Introduction: Communication among patients and doctors plays an essential part in the development of a trustworthy and credible patient-doctor relationship. The primary objective of this audit was to determine positive interpersonal relationships, improve the comprehension of medical information, permit a more accurate assessment of patient’s needs, perceptions, and expectations, and minimize the communication gap between physicians and inpatients in the hospital.

Methodology: The study population consisted of 114 patients admitted to the medical ward of Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital, Islamabad. A self-structured patient satisfaction questionnaire” was employed for the audit.

Results: The result from the first audit included 114 responses and that of the re-audit included 92. For the first item, 64% of patients expressed satisfaction with the doctors' counseling in the re-audit as compared to 55% in the initial audit. About 80 % of the responders felt that they were not informed about the side effects and symptoms of the medicines prescribed to them. The value for this item declined significantly to 57% after the re-audit.

Conclusion: Our study concludes that minimizing the communication gap between physicians and inpatients in the hospital leads to high levels of improvement in the doctor-patient relationship and overall patient satisfaction.