Numerous empirical studies from different populations and settings link adherence to treatment recommendations to doctor-patient communication. A meta-analysis provides an estimate of the overall effects in both correlational studies and experimental interventions involving physician communication skills training. This article aimed for an in-depth search of the published literature (1949 - August 2008). The review found that physician communication is significantly positively correlated with patient adherence; the risk of non-adherence is 19% higher among patients whose physician communicates poorly than among patients whose physician communicates well. Training physicians in communication skills results in a significant and substantial improvement in patient adherence, such that when physicians are trained in communication, the odds of patient adherence are 1.62 times higher than when they are not trained. Communication in medical care is strongly correlated with better patient adherence, and training physicians in better communication improves patient adherence. The results can contribute to medical education and interventions to improve adherence to treatment recommendations, supporting arguments that communication is important and that resources to improve communication are worth investing in. Communication is therefore an important factor over which physicians have some control in helping their patients adhere to recommendations.
Physician Communication and Patient Adherence to Treatment: A Meta-analysis
19 December 2022