By Making the Patient Your Partner: Communication Skills for Doctors and Other Caregivers

Health professionals need to learn the communication skills that will create collaborative and mutually satisfying relationships with patients. The failure of doctors to relate effectively to patients results in noncompliance, malpractice suits, longer stays in hospitals and other negative outcomes. Interpersonal skills can be easily learned by studying the techniques described by Gordon and Edwards. Using cases, interviews, dialogues, and vignettes, the authors provide effective models or blueprints for health professionals to follow. The skills are generic and improve interpersonal communication throughout the spectrum of medical specializations and services. Gordon is a psychologist who has pioneered internationally recognized effectiveness training programs widely used by teachers, parents, salesmen, managers, and other professionals. He has published six books that have sold over five million copies in 17 languages. In this work, he has enlisted the expertise of Edwards, a highly respected medical doctor and educator, to provide the necessary insider's view of the health profession. Together they make a convincing case for doctors to develop closer and more collaborative relationships with patients. Review [I] approached this text wondering whether it would improve on or add to what is already available. When I had finished it, I wanted to read more of the authors' works and was eager to try some of the specific techinques described. . . . [T]he book is an easy-to-read summary of an approach to communicating with patients. It can reinvigorate physicians who already believe that the physician-patient relationship is a powerful tool, and it can inspire those who seek more collaboration with patients.-- " Annals of Internal Medicine" [T]he authors suggest ways in which health care providers can improve skills in such areas as active listening, identifying and overcoming barriers to communication, dealing with conflicts with patients, and helping persons with terminal illnesses. The book is well organized and can be read quickly, and a busy professional can take away new ideas or expand on existing skills after a relatively small time investment. The book also includes a concise list of some of the best resources available for health care workers who want more training in communication skills. . . . [T]he book is an easy-to-read summary of an approach to communicating with patients. It can reinvigorate physicians who already believe that the physician-patient relationship is a powerful tool, and it can inspire those who seek more collaboration with patients.-- " Annals of Internal Medicine" Health professionals need to learn the communication skills that will create collaborative and mutually satisfying relationships with patients. Using cases, interviews, dialougues, and vignettes, the authors provide effective models or blueprints for health professionals to follow. The skills are generic and improve interpersonal communication throughout the spectrum of medical specializations and services.-- " Adolescence" Strongly recommended for physicians and especially for office, clinic, and hospital staff caregivers. Patient advocates (ombudsmen) should find the style and content appealing.-- " Choice" This is a useful book that will help healthcare practitioners at all levels sharpen their communication skills and, in doing so, encourage a trusting, collaborative relationship with the patient. The authors remind us that our primary goal in healthcare is to care for and comfort our patients.-- " Doody's Journal" From the Back Cover Health professionals need to learn the communication skills that will create collaborative and mutually satisfying relationships with patients. The failure of doctors to relate effectively to patients results in non-compliance, malpractice suits, longer stays in hospitals and other negative outcomes. Interpersonal skills can be easily learned by studying the techniqu