Patient-Centered Strategies for Effective Communication During the Initial Audiological Consultation Sessions

Abstract

Purpose The article focuses on communication during initial audiology consultation sessions and written in two-fold. First, it provides an overview of audiological literature on communication between patients, their significant others, and audiologists. Second, it discusses patient-centered strategies for effective communication based on broader health care literature. Method A discussion was developed based on reviews of relevant literature. Results A recent literature review by Manchaiah, Bellon-Harn, Dockens, Azios, and Harn (2019) examined studies focusing on communication during initial audiology consultations. Five themes were highlighted: (a) interaction balance and reciprocity, (b) discussion of patient concerns and development of therapeutic alliance, (c) patient and family expressions of concerns, (d) audiologist response to patient and family expression of concerns, and (e) conversation patterns related to acceptance of treatment recommendations. Broader health care literature emphasizes some patient-centered strategies for effective communication, which include (a) focusing on patients' perspective, (b) building the therapeutic alliance, (c) attending to psychological consequences and concerns, and (d) understanding the power of turn in conversations. Conclusions Clinician–patient communication especially at initial consultation sessions is important in building a long-term relationship and will have bearing toward patient outcomes. It is essential for audiologists to adopt patient-centered strategies for effective communication, which makes patients comfortable and helps in building trust and positive therapeutic relationships.