Have 100 years of talking therapies taught psychiatrists how to communicate?

Abstract

SUMMARYFormal communication skills training is the norm at UK medical schools, and evidence is mounting that it is effective in a number of domains, including patient satisfaction and shared decision-making, leading to improved treatment adherence. However, applying these models in mental health settings is challenging, despite the fact that positive therapeutic relationships and an ability to actively manage consultations are the cornerstone of psychiatric practice. Communication skills training is still too often regarded as better suited to physical health consultations than more complex psychiatric interviews. Here, it is considered why this might be, with reference to the one eligible randomised controlled trial identified in this systematic literature review.DECLARATION OF INTERESTJ.W. has previously worked with Professor Papageorgiou at the University of East Anglia and has authored chapters in books that she has co-edited.