The ethics of communication with patients: A qualitative analysis of transparency and information
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55312/op.v17i1.7261Abstract
Introduction: Effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients is an essential component of person-centred care and has a direct impact on the quality of care, patient experience, and health outcomes. This material addresses how the communication style of healthcare professionals and their perceptions of patients can influence patient engagement, satisfaction, and adherence to treatment. Patient-centred communication models significantly enhance healthcare professionals–patient interaction and contribute to improved physical and psychological outcomes. This is especially important in mental healthcare, where verbal communication is often the primary means of diagnosis and treatment, making the establishment of a shared understanding with the patient crucial. Objective: This study explores the importance of effective communication between healthcare profes-sionals and patients by exploring how communication styles and healthcare professionals’ perceptions influence patient engagement, satisfaction, and adherence to treatment, with the ultimate goal of enhanc-ing health outcomes and promoting a person-centred approach, particularly in mental health care settings. Methodology: This study employed the method of literature review as a qualitative approach to collect, analyze, and interpret existing data. Both national and international sources were examined, including scholarly articles, academic publications, institutional reports, and health policy documents. The aim of this methodology was to provide a clear theoretical and practical framework on the topic and to identify best practices and challenges within the relevant field. The selection of literature was purposeful, focusing on reliable and relevant sources aligned with the study’s objectives. Conclusions: Effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients plays a fundamen-tal role in improving the quality of care and health outcomes. The communication style and attitudes of healthcare professionals significantly influence patient engagement, satisfaction, and adherence to treatment. Emphasizing a person-centred approach strengthens the therapeutic alliance and is especially critical in mental health care, where communication is often the primary tool for both diagnosis and inter-vention. Investing in the development of communication competencies among healthcare professionals is essential to delivering compassionate, individualized, and effective care.Keywords:
effective communication, patient‑centred care, healthcare professional perceptions, patient engagement, treatment adherence, mental health, healthcare professional–patient relationship.Downloads
References
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8. Britten Nicky, Stevenson Fiona A, Barry Christine A, Barber Nick, and Bradley, Colin P, (2000), ”Mis-understandings in prescribing decisions in general practice: Qualitative study”, British Medical Journal, 320(7233), 484–488, doi: 10.1136/bmj.320.7233.484
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9. Brock Douglas, Abu Rish Erin, Chiu Chia - Ru, Hammer Dana, Wilson Sharon, Vorvick Linda, Blondon Katherine, Schaad Douglas, Liner Debra, Zierler Brenda, (2013), “Interprofessional ed-ucation in team communication: working together to improve patient safety”, Postgrad Medicine Journal, 89(1057):642–651. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2012-000952rep.
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15. Duggan Ashley P, Parrott Roxanne L, (2001), ”Physicians’ nonverbal rapport building and patients’
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talk about the subjective component of illness”, Human Communication Research, Volume 27, Is-sue 2, Pages 299–311, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.2001.tb00783.x
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18. Finset Arnstein, (2007), ”Nonverbal communication—An important key to in-depth understanding
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of provider–patient interaction”, Patient Educ Couns. 66(2):127-8., doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2007.03.002.
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19. Florescu Constantin, Mâlcomete Petre, Pop Nicolae Alexandru, (2003), “Marketing. Dicţionar ex-plicativ”, Bucureşti: Editura Economică, ISBN: 973-590-8247
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20. Floyd K. (2013), “Comunicarea interpersonală”, Iaşi: Editura Polirom.
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21. Gordon S Howard, Street Jr L Richard, Sharf F Barbara and Souchek Julianne, (2006), “Racial differences in doctors’ information-giving and patients’ participation”, Cancer, PMID: 16909424 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.22122
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22. Hall A Judith, Horgan G Terrence, Stein S Terry, Roter L Debra, (2002), “Liking in the physician–patient relationship”, Patient Education and Counseling, PMID: 12220752 DOI: 10.1016/s0738-3991(02)00071-x
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23. Hall A J, Roter L D, Katz R N, (1988), ”Meta-analysis of correlates of provider behavior in medical
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encounters”, Med Care. PMID: 3292851 DOI: 10.1097/00005650-198807000-00002
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24. Harmon G., Lefante J., Krousel-Wood M, (2006), “Overcoming barriers: the role of providers in im-proving patient adherence to antihypertensive medications”, Curr Opin Cardiol. 2006;21((4)):310–
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315. doi: 10.1097/01.hco.0000231400.10104.e2.
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25. Jahng H Kristina, Martin R Leslie, Colin E Carol and DiMatteo M Robin, (2005), “Preferences for medical collaboration: Patient–physician congruence and patient outcomes”, Patient Education and Counseling, PMID: 15893213 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2004.08.006
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26. Knapp Mark L, Hall Judith A, (2002), ”Nonverbal communication in human interaction”, 5th ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace.
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27. Lee S. J., Back A. L., Block S. D., Stewart S. K, (2002), “Enhancing physician-patient commu-nication”, Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program, 1:464–483. doi: 10.1182/asheduca-tion-2002.1.464.
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28. Levinson, W., Roter, D. L., Mullooly, J. P., Dull, V. T., and Frankel, R. M. (1997), “Physician-pa-tient communication—The relationship with malpractice claims among primary care physicians and surgeons”, Jama-Journal of the American Medical Association, 277(7), 553–559. https://doi. org/10.1001/jama.277.7.553.
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29. Manary P Matthew, Boulding William, Staelin Richard, Glickman W Seth, (2013), ”The patient experience and health outcomes”, N Engl J Med, PMID: 23268647 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1211775
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30. Mead, N., & Bower, P. (2000). Patient-centredness: A conceptual framework and review of the empir-ical literature. Social Science & Medicine, 51(7), 1087–1110, doi: 10.1016/s0277-9536(00)00098-8.
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31. Ngjela J, Kociraj A, Hajdari F, Begotaraj B, (2025), “Communication in Healthcare: Ethical and Managerial Perspectives”, International Conference on Modern and Advanced Research ICMAR, Konya, Turkey
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32. Price Bob, (2020), “Optimising professional communication with patients”, Nurs Stand,
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PMID: 31904199, DOI: 10.7748/ns.2020.e11457
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33. Radu I, Iluţ P, Matei L. Cluj-Napoca, (1994), “Psihologie socială”, Editura Exe S.R.L.
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34. Ragnar Rommetveit, Rolv Mikkel Blakar, (1979), “Studies of language, thought and verbal com-munication”, London: Academic Press.
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35. Rathert Cherly, Wyrwich Mary D and Boren Suzanne Austin, (2013), “Patient-centered care and outcomes: A systematic review of the literature”, Medical Care Research and Review, 70(4), 351–379, DOI: 10.1177/1077558712465774
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36. Roter Debra and Hall Judith A. (2006). Doctors talking with patients/patients talking with doctors: Improving communication in medical visits”, Second Edition, Publisher Praeger, ISBN-13 978-0275990176.
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37. Singer, Marjorie Kagawa and Kassim-Lakha Shaheen, (2003), ”A strategy to reduce cross-cultural miscommunication and increase the likelihood of improving health outcomes”, Academic Medi-cine, 78(6), 577–587, DOI: 10.1097/00001888-200306000-00006
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38. Stewart M. A, (2005), “Effective physician-patient communication and health outcomes: a review”,
-
CMAJ, 152((9)):1423–1433. PMCID: PMC1337906
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39. Tattan, T., and Tarrier, N. (2000), “The expressed emotion of case managers of the seriously mentally
-
ill: The influence of expressed emotion on clinical outcomes”, Psychological Medicine, 30(1), 195–
-
40. Trummer F Ursula, Mueller O Ulrich, Nowak Peter, Stidl Thomas and Pelikan M Jurgen, (2006), “Does physician–patient communication that aims at empowering patients improve clinical out-come? A case study”, Patient Education and Counseling PMID: 15970422 DOI: 10.1016/j. pec.2005.04.00940.Verderber Rudolph F, Verderber Kathleen S, (1980), “Inter-act: Using interper-sonal communication skills”, 1st ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
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41. Zolnierek, Kelly B. Haskard and Dimatteo, M. Robin (2009), “Physician communication and patient adherence to treatment: A meta-analysis”, Medical Care, 47(8), 826–834. https://doi.org/10.1097/ MLR.0b013e31819a5acc.
References
1. Abric Jean Claude, (2002), “Psihologia comunicării. Teorii şi metode”, Iaşi: Editura Polirom.
2. Arora Neeraj K, (2003), “Interacting with cancer patients: the significance of physicians’ commu-nication behavior”, Soc Sci Med, 57((5)):791–806. doi: 10.1016/s0277-9536(02)00449-5.
3. Athanasiu A, (1998), Tratat de psihologie medicală Bucureşti: Editura Oscar Print.
4. Brédart Anne, Bouleuc Carole, Dolbeault Sylvie, (2005), “Doctor-patient communication and satisfaction with care in oncology”, Curr Opin Oncol, 17((14)):351–354. doi: 10.1097/01. cco.0000167734.26454.30.
5. Beach Mary Catherine, Roter R Debra, Wang Nae - Yuh, Duggan S Partick and Cooper A Lisa, (2006), “Are physicians’ attitudes of respect accurately perceived by patients and associated with more positive communication behaviors?” Patient Education and Counseling, PMID: 16859867 PMCID: PMC3119350 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2006.06.004
6. Beck S Rainer, Daughtridge Rebecca, Sloane D Philip, (2002), ”Physician-patient communication in
the primary care office: A systematic review”, J Am Board Fam Pract. (1):25-38. PMID: 11841136
7. Brinkman William B, Geraghty Sheela R, Lanphear Bruce P, Khoury Jane C, Gonzalez del Rey Javier A, Dewitt Thomas G and Britto Maria T, (2007), “Effect of multisource feedback on resident communication skills and professionalism: a randomized controlled trial”, Arch Pediatr Adolesc, 161((1)):44–49. doi: 10.1001/archpedi.161.1.44.
8. Britten Nicky, Stevenson Fiona A, Barry Christine A, Barber Nick, and Bradley, Colin P, (2000), ”Mis-understandings in prescribing decisions in general practice: Qualitative study”, British Medical Journal, 320(7233), 484–488, doi: 10.1136/bmj.320.7233.484
9. Brock Douglas, Abu Rish Erin, Chiu Chia - Ru, Hammer Dana, Wilson Sharon, Vorvick Linda, Blondon Katherine, Schaad Douglas, Liner Debra, Zierler Brenda, (2013), “Interprofessional ed-ucation in team communication: working together to improve patient safety”, Postgrad Medicine Journal, 89(1057):642–651. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2012-000952rep.
10. Brown, J. B., Stewart, M., & Ryan, B. L. (2001). Assessing communication between patients and physicians: The measure of patient-centred communication (MPCC). London, Ontario: Centre for Studies in Family Medicine.
11. Certo Samuel C, (2002), “Managementul modern: diversitatea, calitatea, etica şi mediul global”, Bucureşti: Editura Teora.
12. Doyle Cathal, Lennox Laura and Bell Derek, (2013), “A systematic review of evidence on the links between patient experience and clinical safety and effectiveness”, BMJ Open, 3(1):e001570. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-001570
13. Dr.Platt F. W., Keating K. N, (2007), “Differences in physician and patient perceptions of uncompli-cated UTI symptom severity: understanding the communication gap”, Int J Clin Prac, 61((2)):303–
308. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2006.01277.x.
14. Duffy F Daniel, Gordon Geoffrey H, Whelan Gerald, Cole - kelly Kathy, Frankel Richard, Buffone Natalie, Lofton Stephanie, Wallace MaryAnne, Goode Leslie and Landon Lynn, (2004), “Assess-ing competence in communication and interpersonal skills: the Kalamazoo II report”, Acad Med, 2004;79((6)):495–507. doi: 10.1097/00001888-200406000-00002.
15. Duggan Ashley P, Parrott Roxanne L, (2001), ”Physicians’ nonverbal rapport building and patients’
talk about the subjective component of illness”, Human Communication Research, Volume 27, Is-sue 2, Pages 299–311, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.2001.tb00783.x
16. Epstein, R.M and Street Jr R. L. (2007), ”Patient-centered communication in cancer care: Pro-moting healing and reducing suffering”, National Cancer Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, NIH Publication No. 07-6225, Bethesda.
17. Fallowfield, Lesley, Jenkins, Valerie, Farewell, Vern, Saul, Jacky, Duffy, Anthony and Eves Rebec-ca, (2002), “Efficacy of a Cancer Research UK communication skills training model for oncolo-gists: A randomised controlled trial”, Lancet, 359(9307), 650–656. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(02)07810-8.
18. Finset Arnstein, (2007), ”Nonverbal communication—An important key to in-depth understanding
of provider–patient interaction”, Patient Educ Couns. 66(2):127-8., doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2007.03.002.
19. Florescu Constantin, Mâlcomete Petre, Pop Nicolae Alexandru, (2003), “Marketing. Dicţionar ex-plicativ”, Bucureşti: Editura Economică, ISBN: 973-590-8247
20. Floyd K. (2013), “Comunicarea interpersonală”, Iaşi: Editura Polirom.
21. Gordon S Howard, Street Jr L Richard, Sharf F Barbara and Souchek Julianne, (2006), “Racial differences in doctors’ information-giving and patients’ participation”, Cancer, PMID: 16909424 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.22122
22. Hall A Judith, Horgan G Terrence, Stein S Terry, Roter L Debra, (2002), “Liking in the physician–patient relationship”, Patient Education and Counseling, PMID: 12220752 DOI: 10.1016/s0738-3991(02)00071-x
23. Hall A J, Roter L D, Katz R N, (1988), ”Meta-analysis of correlates of provider behavior in medical
encounters”, Med Care. PMID: 3292851 DOI: 10.1097/00005650-198807000-00002
24. Harmon G., Lefante J., Krousel-Wood M, (2006), “Overcoming barriers: the role of providers in im-proving patient adherence to antihypertensive medications”, Curr Opin Cardiol. 2006;21((4)):310–
315. doi: 10.1097/01.hco.0000231400.10104.e2.
25. Jahng H Kristina, Martin R Leslie, Colin E Carol and DiMatteo M Robin, (2005), “Preferences for medical collaboration: Patient–physician congruence and patient outcomes”, Patient Education and Counseling, PMID: 15893213 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2004.08.006
26. Knapp Mark L, Hall Judith A, (2002), ”Nonverbal communication in human interaction”, 5th ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace.
27. Lee S. J., Back A. L., Block S. D., Stewart S. K, (2002), “Enhancing physician-patient commu-nication”, Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program, 1:464–483. doi: 10.1182/asheduca-tion-2002.1.464.
28. Levinson, W., Roter, D. L., Mullooly, J. P., Dull, V. T., and Frankel, R. M. (1997), “Physician-pa-tient communication—The relationship with malpractice claims among primary care physicians and surgeons”, Jama-Journal of the American Medical Association, 277(7), 553–559. https://doi. org/10.1001/jama.277.7.553.
29. Manary P Matthew, Boulding William, Staelin Richard, Glickman W Seth, (2013), ”The patient experience and health outcomes”, N Engl J Med, PMID: 23268647 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1211775
30. Mead, N., & Bower, P. (2000). Patient-centredness: A conceptual framework and review of the empir-ical literature. Social Science & Medicine, 51(7), 1087–1110, doi: 10.1016/s0277-9536(00)00098-8.
31. Ngjela J, Kociraj A, Hajdari F, Begotaraj B, (2025), “Communication in Healthcare: Ethical and Managerial Perspectives”, International Conference on Modern and Advanced Research ICMAR, Konya, Turkey
32. Price Bob, (2020), “Optimising professional communication with patients”, Nurs Stand,
PMID: 31904199, DOI: 10.7748/ns.2020.e11457
33. Radu I, Iluţ P, Matei L. Cluj-Napoca, (1994), “Psihologie socială”, Editura Exe S.R.L.
34. Ragnar Rommetveit, Rolv Mikkel Blakar, (1979), “Studies of language, thought and verbal com-munication”, London: Academic Press.
35. Rathert Cherly, Wyrwich Mary D and Boren Suzanne Austin, (2013), “Patient-centered care and outcomes: A systematic review of the literature”, Medical Care Research and Review, 70(4), 351–379, DOI: 10.1177/1077558712465774
36. Roter Debra and Hall Judith A. (2006). Doctors talking with patients/patients talking with doctors: Improving communication in medical visits”, Second Edition, Publisher Praeger, ISBN-13 978-0275990176.
37. Singer, Marjorie Kagawa and Kassim-Lakha Shaheen, (2003), ”A strategy to reduce cross-cultural miscommunication and increase the likelihood of improving health outcomes”, Academic Medi-cine, 78(6), 577–587, DOI: 10.1097/00001888-200306000-00006
38. Stewart M. A, (2005), “Effective physician-patient communication and health outcomes: a review”,
CMAJ, 152((9)):1423–1433. PMCID: PMC1337906
39. Tattan, T., and Tarrier, N. (2000), “The expressed emotion of case managers of the seriously mentally
ill: The influence of expressed emotion on clinical outcomes”, Psychological Medicine, 30(1), 195–
204. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291799001579.
40. Trummer F Ursula, Mueller O Ulrich, Nowak Peter, Stidl Thomas and Pelikan M Jurgen, (2006), “Does physician–patient communication that aims at empowering patients improve clinical out-come? A case study”, Patient Education and Counseling PMID: 15970422 DOI: 10.1016/j. pec.2005.04.00940.Verderber Rudolph F, Verderber Kathleen S, (1980), “Inter-act: Using interper-sonal communication skills”, 1st ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
41. Zolnierek, Kelly B. Haskard and Dimatteo, M. Robin (2009), “Physician communication and patient adherence to treatment: A meta-analysis”, Medical Care, 47(8), 826–834. https://doi.org/10.1097/ MLR.0b013e31819a5acc.



