A partnership-oriented and culturally-sensitive communication style of doctors can impact the health outcomes of patients with chronic illnesses in Indonesia

Abstract

ObjectivesA partnership-oriented communication style is globally recommended for medical practice. A culturally-sensitive doctor-patient communication guideline is also needed for Southeast Asia. The ‘Greet-Invite-Discuss’ guideline was established and tested with primary care doctors and their patients in Indonesia. MethodsIn this mixed-methods study, doctors were trained according to the ‘Greet-Invite-Discuss’ guideline, while patients received standard treatment. Two groups of fifteen doctors were assigned to have consultations with 45 patients with hypertension or 51 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. Doctors’ self-assessment and patients’ perceptions and their clinical outcomes were longitudinally measured. Six focus group discussions were conducted to explore doctors’ and patients’ experiences. ResultsDoctors’ self-assessments and patients’ perceptions of doctors’ communication skills increased significantly (p < 0.05). Moreover, patients’ blood pressure or fasting blood glucose levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05), except the two-hour blood glucose levels (NS). Qualitatively, doctors demonstrated more partnership and culturally-sensitive communication, and patients expressed more satisfaction, increased comprehension and self-management, of their chronic illnesses. ConclusionsThe ‘Greet-Invite-Discuss’ guideline was useful for primary care doctors for a more partnership-oriented and culturally-sensitive communication with patients in chronic care management. Practice implicationsUsing a partnership-oriented and culturally-sensitive communication guideline, doctors can improve their communication skills with their patients towards optimum health outcomes.