Abstract
ObjectiveTo understand patients’ perspectives of factors influencing their active participation in healthcare interactions. MethodsA descriptive qualitative approach informed by naturalistic inquiry was used to secondarily analyse interview and focus group data from a study that co-designed a communication-skills learning resource for patients. The COM-B Behaviour Model was used to explore factors that influenced patient participation in healthcare communication. Thirty-nine participants took part in either individual interviews (n = 25) or a focus group (n = 14). ResultsFrom the COM-B domains nine factors emerged: capability (personal characteristics, patient language and culture, emotion or stress arising from the interaction), opportunity (time constraints, empowering actions, patient-clinician relationship, having a support person present) and motivation (preparation prior to the interaction, perception of patient-provider power imbalance). ConclusionMany of the factors influencing active patient participation are modifiable, suggesting barriers to effective communication are not insurmountable. Clinicians and patients both play a role in improving communication; effective strategies include agenda setting, cultural and communication skills training for staff, and teach-back. Practice implicationsClinicians must be aware of the factors influencing patient active participation in healthcare interactions. Healthcare organisations should consider providing communication-skills training for clinicians so they can implement strategies to overcome communication barriers with patients.
Published Version
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