Vital Conversations. Improving Communication Between Doctors and Patients

The US healthcare system is by far the most expensive in the world, but its performance is decidedly mediocre compared to other countries. Dennis Rosen argues that poor communication between doctors and patients lies at the heart of this disparity, a pervasive problem that damages patient wellbeing and the integrity of the healthcare system and society. Drawing on research from biomedicine, sociology and anthropology, and integrating personal stories from his medical practice in three different countries (and as a patient), Rosen shows how important good communication between doctors and patients is for high-quality - and less costly - care. Without this, therapeutic adherence and preventive services decline, and rates of medical complications, hospital readmissions and unnecessary tests and procedures rise. Rosen illustrates the consequences of these problems from both the caregiver and patient perspectives and explores the socio-economic and cultural factors involved. He concludes with a chapter aimed at building the cultural competence and communication skills necessary for better quality care.