This systematic review, which included 12 original research papers and meta-analyses, examined whether patients' socioeconomic status influences doctor-patient communication. The results show that patients from lower social classes receive fewer positive socio-emotional statements and a more focused and less participatory consultation style, characterised by significantly less information, less guidance and less parthenership building. Doctors' communication style is influenced by how patients communicate: patients from higher social classes communicate more actively and show more affective expression, taking more information from the doctor. Patients from lower social classes are often disadvantaged by the doctor's misunderstanding of their desire and need for information and their ability to participate in the care process. More effective communication could be established by both doctors and patients by making doctors aware of contextual communication differences and allowing patients to express concerns and preferences.
https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1023/A:1013812802937.pdf