Effective communication is essential to building good relationships between clinicians and patients, and leads to better patient care, while lack of communication or miscommunication can compromise patient safety. Ineffective patient-clinician communication is one of the leading causes of medical errors.

SUMMARY: Module 6 explores common communication barriers between patients and clinicians and provides specific suggestions and approaches for building a stronger relationship.

Author: Iris Mushin, M.Ed, MBA

Contributing Editor: Anoop Agrawal, MB