Effective Doctor-patient Communication Research Articles

Digital health apps : How to achieve the successful integration into healthcare

Digital health applications (apps) have been available on prescription since 2019 and offer a multitude of functions in health monitoring, symptom recognition, follow-up monitoring and patient care. The Digital Care Act from 2023 strives for a comprehensive integration of apps into medical care. The utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in health apps promises an earlier diagnosis, sensitive symptom monitoring, optimization of courses of treatment, more effective doctor-patient communication and saving of resources. The integration of health apps and AI can enable a stronger personalized high-value care.

A Review-Based Study on the Importance of Doctor-Patient Communication in Healthcare

Effective doctor-patient communication is crucial for delivering quality healthcare, as it directly influences patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and the incidence of medical errors. This review critically analyzes secondary data from various studies, surveys, and meta-analyses to examine the impact of communication on health outcomes, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations such as those with language barriers and low health literacy. The findings reveal that effective communication enhances patient satisfaction, improves adherence to treatment plans, and reduces medical errors, while poor communication leads to adverse health outcomes, including non-compliance and misdiagnosis. Additionally, improving communication practices lowers malpractice claims and mitigates physician burnout. These insights emphasize the need for targeted interventions to overcome communication barriers and foster equitable healthcare delivery.

Patient-resident physician communication – a qualitative study to assess the current state, challenges and possible solutions

BackgroundPatients perceive effective patient-doctor communication as an important metric when evaluating their satisfaction with health systems. Hence, optimal patient-physician communication is fundamental for quality healthcare. High-income countries (HICs) have extensively studied patient-resident communication. However, there is a dearth of similar studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, we aimed to explore the current state of and barriers to practicing good patient-resident communication and explore possible solutions to mitigate these challenges at one of the largest Academic Medical Centers in an LMIC.MethodsThis study employed an exploratory qualitative study design and was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Pakistan. Through purposive maximum variation sampling, 60 healthcare workers from diverse cohorts, including attendings, fellows, residents, and medical students, participated in eight focus group discussions.ResultsWe identified three key themes from the data: Status-quo of residents’ communication skills and learning (Poor verbal and non-verbal communication, inadequate training programs, and variable sources of learning), Barriers to effective communication (Institutional barriers such as lack of designated counselling spaces, lack of resident insight regarding effective communication and deficits in intra-team communication), and the need for developing a communication skills curriculum (Design, implementation and scaling to other cohorts of healthcare workers).ConclusionsFindings from this study show that multifaceted factors are responsible for inadequate patient resident-physician communication, highlighting the need for and importance of developing a formal communication skills training curriculum for residents. These insights can be used to create standardized training for equipping residents with adequate skills for effectively communicating with patients which can improve healthcare service delivery and patient outcomes.

Influence of the Use of Electronic Medical Record Systems on Effective Doctor-Patient Communication Relationships in the Outpatient Clinic

Electronic medical records are being used based on the Regulation of the Minister of Health (PMK) number 24 of 2022 concerning Medical Records, which is a transition of patient medical records from conventional systems to electronic-based. This study aims to determine the effect of using an electronic medical record system on effective doctor-patient communication relationships in hospital outpatient clinics. This study was conducted at a B-class general hospital in Jakarta Regional General Hospital, using an analytical descriptive method and a cross-sectional approach. A total of 153 respondents followed quota sampling rules. The test used was the chi-square test, with the p-value being less than 0.05. Approximately 50% of respondents demonstrated high levels of effective doctor-patient communication and high levels of knowledge on the use of RME. This study states that there is a positive relationship between the use of electronic medical records and effective communication between doctors and patients.

Assessment of psychological distress in patients with cervical dysplasia according to age, education, information acquisition and information level.

This study aims to investigate the psychological distress experienced by patients with an initial diagnosis of abnormal Pap smears or dysplastic changes of the cervix uteri. It investigated whether patients' age, education, information level and approach to information acquisition have an impact on their psychological distress. A total of 364 female patients, aged 20-80years, referred to the special dysplasia consultation hour at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wuerzburg, completed a questionnaire containing validated items to assess information level, information acquisition, information needs and psychological distress, including a distress thermometer. Data from questionnaires and medical reports were used for analysis. The study found that 56.9% of patients experienced psychological distress before their first visit. Patients under 44years of age, especially those with concerns about fertility and sexuality, and those with lower levels of education showed higher levels of distress (p-value = 0.018 and p-value = 0.037). 40.9% of patients felt poorly informed and 53.7% of patients wanted more information before their visit. Correlational analysis showed that the method of obtaining information correlated with the desire for more information (p-value < 0.001). Those who received information via the Internet felt less informed, wanted more information and experienced more anxiety. These findings highlight the need for improved patient education strategies and effective doctor-patient communication to address the knowledge gap and reduce patient distress. In addition, healthcare providers should ensure that patients have access to reliable online resources for accurate information.

A tool to assist rheumatologists to engage their lupus patients: the Purple Butterfly.

Translating the highly technical medical jargon of SLE into understandable concepts for patients, their families and individuals without expertise in SLE is a serious challenge. To facilitate communication and enable self-management in SLE, we aimed to create an innovative visual tool, the Purple Butterfly. We selected clinically representative criteria for SLE and transposed them as graphical features in an attractive and meaningful visual. We developed a script in R programming language that automatically transposes clinical data into this visualization. We asked SLE patients from a local cohort about the relevance, usefulness and acceptability of this visual tool in an online pilot survey. The innovative Purple Butterfly features 11 key clinical criteria: age; sex; organ damage; disease activity; comorbidities; use of antimalarials, prednisone, immunosuppressants and biologics; and patient-reported physical and mental health-related quality of life. Each Purple Butterfly provides the health portrait of one SLE patient at one medical visit, and the automatic compilation of the butterflies can illustrate a patient's clinical journey over time. All survey participants agreed that they would like to use the Purple Butterfly to visualize the course of their SLE over time, and 9 of 10 agreed it should be used during their medical consultations. The Purple Butterfly nurtures effective doctor-patient communication by providing concise visual summaries of lupus patients' health conditions. We believe the Purple Butterfly has the potential to empower patients to take charge of their condition, enhance healthcare coordination and raise awareness about SLE.

Real-time procedure information sharing as a means to reduce perioperative anxiety in families of children undergoing elective surgery - a randomized controlled study

ObjectiveTo investigate whether the surgical process information sharing system could alleviate the parental anxiety during a pediatric selective operation.DesignRandomized controlled trial.MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted one day before surgery for the enrolled participants. Family members assigned to the intervention group received real-time process information sharing through service reminders during the surgical period, while the control group received standard perioperative education. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality during the perioperative period, and the State of Cohesion-13 Scale (SOC-13) and Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were used to assess anxiety levels. Satisfaction levels during the perioperative period were assessed through a follow-up survey conducted one day after surgery.ResultsThe intervention group showed better scores in terms of PSQI, SOC-13, SAS, and postoperative satisfaction levels at various time points compared to the control group, with statistically significant differences observed (P < 0.05).ConclusionReal-time process information sharing is effective in reducing perioperative sleep disorders and anxiety among family members of pediatric patients, as well as improving satisfaction levels. This approach not only establishes a process and mechanism for effective doctor-patient communication but also helps implement continuous perioperative care, thereby optimizing internet healthcare services.

СПОСОБЫ ЛИНГВИСТИЧЕСКОЙ РЕАЛИЗАЦИИ ЭТИЧНОЙ КОММУНИКАЦИИ ВРАЧА НА ЗАНЯТИЯХ ПО РУССКОМУ ЯЗЫКУ КАК ИНОСТРАННОМУ

The article deals with the formation of communication skills of foreign medical students in the professional sphere of activity. Much attention is given to the formation of ethical communicative behavior skills of a foreign medical student in the Russian language culture environment on the lessons of Russian as foreign. Ethical communicative behavior cannot be realized regardless of sociocultural and individual peculiarities of patients. Moreover, these factors are the key figure of effective doctor-patient communication. Analysis of educational literature in teaching Russian as foreign in the medical activity for foreign medical students shows lack of attention paid to this issue. To ensure ethical communication, foreign medical students should be able to choose lexical and grammatical constructions in Russian with consideration to the communicative aim and the factors mentioned above. The authors endeavour to analyse the main difficulties in the formation of ethical communicative behavior skills of foreign students with consideration to the factors. Different types of tasks aimed at the formation of ethical communicative behavior skills are suggested on the basis of the analysis.

Turn Your Vision into Reality-AI-Powered Pre-operative Outcome Simulation in Rhinoplasty Surgery.

The increasing demand and changing trends in rhinoplasty surgery emphasize the need for effective doctor-patient communication, for which Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be a valuable tool in managing patient expectations during pre-operative consultations. To develop an AI-based model to simulate realistic postoperative rhinoplasty outcomes. We trained a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) using 3,030 rhinoplasty patients' pre- and postoperative images. One-hundred-one study participants were presented with 30 pre-rhinoplasty patient photographs followed by an image set consisting of the real postoperative versus the GAN-generated image and asked to identify the GAN-generated image. The study sample (48 males, 53 females, mean age of 31.6±9.0years) correctly identified the GAN-generated images with an accuracy of 52.5±14.3%. Male study participants were more likely to identify the AI-generated images compared with female study participants (55.4% versus 49.6%; p = 0.042). We presented a GAN-based simulator for rhinoplasty outcomes which used pre-operative patient images to predict accurate representations that were not perceived as different from real postoperative outcomes. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Impact of Multimodal Intervention on Empathy Levels in Medical Students: A Questionnaire-Based Study.

Background Empathy is essential for effective doctor-patient communication. It enables doctors to understand patients' emotions and concerns, facilitating personalized care and support. Empathy can be cultivated through various methods and training programs. Objective The study aims to assess the effectiveness of a multimodal intervention involving interactive lectures, peer role-play, and guided reflection in enhancing empathy levels among second-year medical undergraduate students in India. Methods This study utilized a questionnaire-based, pre- and post-test interventional design. Seventy-nine second-year medical students were included after obtaining their informed consent. The students received the intervention through an interactive lecture on communication skills, role-play on selected case studies, and guided reflection. The empathy levels were assessed using the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) before and after the intervention. The Mann-Whitney U test was utilized to compare pre-test and post-test TEQ scores. A univariate analysis of variance was conducted to explore the relationship between demographic variables and post-test TEQ scores. Statistical significance was considered at p ≤ 0.05. Results The TEQ score improved significantly (p=0.009) after the intervention. The univariate analysis indicated that gender, style of education, and place of residence did not have a statistically significant impact on post-test scores. Conclusion The study demonstrates that a multimodal intervention significantly enhances the empathy level of medical students, highlighting the potential of focused interventions to reduce gender disparities in empathy levels. There were no significant differences in empathy scores based on gender, place of residence, or schooling, suggesting the intervention's benefits may apply to all medical students.

Types of Medication Non-adherence & Approaches to Enhance Medication Adherence in Mental Health Disorders: A Narrative Review.

Medication non-adherence (MNA) presents a significant obstacle that negatively impacts treatment effectiveness in mental health disorders. The objective of this review is to study different types of MNA and interventions designed to enhance medication adherence among individuals with mental health disorders. We conducted an electronic search on PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords such as adherence, non-adherence, compliance, non-compliance, mental health disorders, psychotropic drugs, major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorders (BD). From the search results, we selected studies pertinent to the objective of the review. Non-adherence can be categorized into primary nonadherence (not starting medication) and secondary non-adherence (not taking the medication as directed). Generally, we can group the reasons for non-adherence into unintentional and intentional. Unintentional non-adherence (UNA) arises when patients genuinely desire to comply with their prescribed course of therapy but are hindered by factors beyond their control. When addressing UNA, interventions should simplify medication regimens, utilize long-acting injectable (LAIs) medications, offer tools to manage medication and provide follow-up reminders. When a patient deliberately decides not to follow their treatment plan, this is known as intentional non-adherence. To improve intentional non-adherence, the focus should be on patient-centred care and shared decision-making, psychoeducation, effective doctor-patient communication, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and addressing concerns related to the side effects of psychotropic drugs. It is crucial to understand that there is no universal solution to address non-adherence in mental health disorders. Each patient has distinct needs and characteristics, making personalized strategies and interventions of utmost significance.

Exploring Doctor-Patient Dynamics: The Mediating Role of Doctor's Empathy and the Moderating Effect of Treatment Effectiveness on Doctor-Patient Communication, Trust, and Satisfaction

This research investigates a conceptual model proposing how doctor-patient communication, doctor’s empathy, and treatment effectiveness influence patient-doctor trust and satisfaction. Conducting quantitative analyses of survey responses from 250 participants in the United States, the study tests these hypotheses. The findings demonstrate that effective doctor-patient communication significantly increases patient-doctor trust and satisfaction. Doctor’s empathy is identified as a crucial mediating factor that intensifies this impact of communication on trust. Interestingly, the study reveals a notable moderating effect of treatment effectiveness, suggesting that higher treatment effectiveness diminishes the dependence on a foundation of doctor-patient trust when achieving patient satisfaction. These findings emphasize the interdependent role of empathetic communication and effective treatment in patient care. The research contributes significantly to healthcare and medicine literature, offering valuable insights for researchers and practitioners focused on understanding and improving patient satisfaction, healthcare delivery, and outcomes.

Clinical relevance of nocebo effects in anesthesia practice: a narrative review

Background: Anesthesia practice has traditionally focused on technical skills and medical knowledge, but the importance of effective doctor-patient communication and patient-centered care is increasingly recognized. In this context, the nocebo effect is an important concept to be aware of as it can be associated with negative outcomes. Objective: This review summarizes the neurobiological and psychological factors underlying the formation of nocebo effects. Additionally, the implications of nocebo effects in clinical practice will be explored. Finally, we will provide a brief overview of communication concepts relevant to the physician-patient relationship that can help minimize nocebo effects and serve as a useful guide for anesthetists to improve their communication skills and provide better care to their patients. Methods: PubMed, Ovid and Cochrane library were searched using keywords related to “nocebo effect”, “anesthesia” and “communication”. In addition, we added articles found in references of identified articles relevant for our research. Results: Nocebo effects can arise from a variety of factors, including negative expectations, negative wording and suggestions, and a poor doctor-patient relationship. While nocebo effects can deteriorate health outcomes, appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication can improve patient satisfaction and subsequently health outcomes. Conclusion: In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition of the importance of doctor-patient communication in anesthesia practice. Communication strategies such as active listening, empathy, and positive language should be incorporated into anesthesia training programs. More research is needed to fully understand the impact of the nocebo effect on health outcomes and to develop effective strategies to mitigate its negative effects.

The impact of doctor-patient communication on medication adherence and blood pressure control in patients with hypertension: a systematic review.

This systematic review aims to present existing evidence concerning the effects of doctor-patient communication on medication adherence and blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. Two researchers independently conducted comprehensive searches of five databases and screened relevant studies published from the inception of these databases up to July 21, 2024. The titles, abstracts, and full texts of all the retrieved articles subsequently underwent rigorous duplicate screening, according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We then synthesized the findings in a narrative format of the included studies. Finally, two researchers independently assessed study quality. Eighteen observational studies encompassing 21,542 patients and seven randomized controlled trials with 2,804 patients were included in the systematic review. Diverse approaches were employed for evaluating doctor-patient communication and medication adherence in these studies, with identified themes including communication content and communication skills. Various facets of doctor-patient communication, including patient satisfaction with doctor-patient communication, the specific content discussed, the style of communication, the comprehensive communication skills of doctors, and the duration of these conversations, were scrutinized. In general, the results suggest a promising link between effective doctor-patient communication and increased medication adherence and blood pressure control. Nonetheless, the presence of nuanced variations and subtle distinctions within the literature underscores the imperative for deeper exploration and consideration in clinical practice. Additionally, effective communication interventions must attain a certain threshold of intensity and endure for an adequate duration. This review underscores the pivotal role of robust doctor-patient communication in improving both medication adherence and blood pressure control. Nevertheless, additional research may be warranted to address the disparities and subtleties in the literature and to establish precise implications for clinical practice. Moreover, in clinical practice, strategies to enhance doctor-patient communication should be incorporated, given the potential to improve medication adherence and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO with registration number CRD42024503112.

Exploring how health-related advertising interference contributes to the development of cyberchondria: A stressor-strain-outcome approach.

Cyberchondria is increasingly recognized as the dark side of digital health, given the pervasive use of the internet as a main source of health information in people's daily lives. While previous studies have identified many factors contributing to cyberchondria, there is a dearth of research on the impact of health-related advertisements. Therefore, this study adopts the stressor-strain-outcome (SSO) model to investigate how health-related advertising interference is directly and indirectly related to cyberchondria. To empirically validate the proposed research model, we conducted an online survey with 437 internet users with medical information seeking experience in China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the survey data. Our findings revealed a positive, direct association between health-related advertising interference and cyberchondria. Meanwhile, advertising interference was positively related to both information overload and information irrelevance, with the former further predicting cyberchondria. Moreover, doctor-patient communication weakened the positive effect of information overload on cyberchondria. The study not only theoretically contributes to the literature by theorizing the relationship between health-related advertising interference and cyberchondria but also practically underlines the pivotal role of effective doctor-patient communication in reducing the development of cyberchondria.

Society's Misconceptions About Intra-articular Injections: A Cross-Sectional Study From Saudi Arabia.

Objective This cross-sectional study aimed to identify and analyze misconceptions prevalent in Saudi Arabian society regarding intra-articular injections and their sources. It also sought to explore factors influencing patients' decision-making in the context of osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. Methods A sample of 405 adult participants from various educational backgrounds residing in Saudi Arabia completed a self-administered questionnaire. The survey focused on participants' knowledge about intra-articular injections, their sources of information, and their beliefs and perceptions related to these injections. Results The study unveiled a significant lack of awareness among the participants, with almost half (48.4%) reporting no knowledge of intra-articular injections. Of all, 16.1% held misconceptions about these injections, including believing that they are painful or they liquify the bone. Participants expressed varied thoughts on the effects of intra-articular injections, with 69.6% associating them with short-term pain relief. While 60.2% disagreed that intra-articular injections could provide long-term pain relief, 65.2% believed that these injections could delay the need for surgery.The source of knowledge varied, with 34.4% relying on orthopedics and 32.5% on friends and relatives. In those who had received intra-articular injections (n = 62), 83.9% cited the desire to delay or avoid surgery as a reason. While 56.5% were very satisfied with their doctor's guidance, 46.8% expressed concerns about relying on injections in the future. Furthermore, educational levels were correlated with knowledge, highlighting the need for more accessible and tailored patient education materials. However, even among those with a university education, misconceptions persisted. Effective patient-doctor communication was associated with secondary or university education (χ² = 11.05, p = 0.011). Conclusion The prevalence of misconceptions regarding intra-articular injections in Saudi Arabia underscores the need for comprehensive patient education and improved communication between healthcare providers and patients. Addressing these misconceptions is essential for empowering patients to make informed decisions about their healthcare and enhancing the overall quality of care they receive. This study's findings have implications not only for Saudi Arabia but also for healthcare systems globally, emphasizing the significance of patient-centered care and informed decision-making.

PROBLEMS OF GENERAL PRACTITIONER-PATIENT COMMUNICATION IN BULGARIA

Effective doctor-patient communication is considered an important prerequisite in providing high-quality medical care. In modern healthcare, a new model of patient-centered collaboration and partnership is established. A general practitioner’s communication culture and skills are crucial parts of his/her qualification and activities and have a direct influence on the doctor-patient relationship and form a patient’s trust in the GP. Our study aimed to analyze the problems arising in the process of doctor-patient communication. Material/Methods: An anonymous inquiry with a questionnaire was conducted between September, 1 and September 30, 2018, in the Pleven region, Bulgaria with 1053 respondents visiting their GPs during this period. The data we collected through empirical research is presented and evaluated, based on a general analysis of the communication act. The results obtained were processed with Microsoft Office Excel 2007. The quantitative analysis was performed with SPSS 17.0. Results: The analysis elucidated weaknesses and unsolved problems in doctor-patient communication. A particularly serious problem identified was that of verbal communication of the physicians with their patients: the ability to ask questions and listen, explain, and guide patients on proper behavior and lifestyle. Conclusions: There are problems concerning doctor-patient communication. Verbal communication is a major problem, which could be attributed to insufficient training. We recommend improving and updating the communicative skills training programs for physicians and other health care professionals in primary care.

Treatment of obesity. A review of selected guidelines

Treatment of obesity is one of the challenges of the 21st century. It is a risk factor for the development of other diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease and cancer. The diagnosis of obesity should be based on body mass measurements, taking into account height and sex. It is also recommended to measure waist and hip circumference. Lifestyle modifications, which include increased physical activity and reduced calorie intake, are the primary method of treating obesity. Unfortunately, changing habits is difficult and even unattainable for many patients. Due to the increasing prevalence of obesity in the society, this review of guidelines is addressed to general practitioners and all physicians who encounter obese patients in their practice. Each of the guidelines analysed emphasises prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of obesity. Behavioural and dietary changes are central in obesity management. The guidelines also point to the role of effective doctor–patient communication, as well as the need for a multidisciplinary management of obesity by a team composed of a physician, dietitian, and often physiotherapist. Pharmacotherapy, which was introduced in recent years as a supportive treatment, is another pillar of obesity therapy. Therefore, we also reviewed guidelines regarding pharmacological treatment of obesity. We focused on summarising indications for anti-obesity medications, descriptions of individual medications, their dosing regimens, as well as therapeutic goals, pointing out differences between individual recommendations.

Abstract 18715: A Cardiovascular Health Literacy Intervention Targeting Arab Women

Health Literacy (HL) is defined as an individual's motivation and ability to gain access to, understand and use information in ways which promote and maintain good health. Low health literacy is associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors. Arab women in Israel are at high cardiovascular risk with cardiovascular mortality that exceeds the mortality in Jewish women by 60%, and may have reduced health literacy. Objectives: To assess HL in Arab women in East Jerusalem and to design, implement and evaluate an interactive HL intervention in Arab women that will lead to an Increase in the percentage of women who utilize effective patient-doctor communication skills, increased self efficacy with regards to the patient-doctor interaction, improved comprehension of test results and increased cardiovascular knowledge. Methods: Tailored 3 session workshop. Questionnaires were administered before and 3 months after the intervention. Results: 267 women participated. 12.1% had inadequate health literacy and 24.2% had problematic health literacy. Of these women, there were matched pre/post questionnaires for 195 women. Matched participants reported increased preparatory behaviors before doctor visits including preparing symptom lists, question lists, medication lists, and medical documents (all p&lt;.001.) They reported increased scores on the Perceived Efficacy in Patient-Physician Interactions scale (7.25 to 7.95, p&lt;.001) , in particular in low efficacy participants who increased from 5.6 to 7.7, p&lt;.001. Health literacy as measured on the HLS-EU-16 increased from 12.6 to 14.33 (p&lt;.001), and 84.5% were in the sufficient range. Conclusions: A three session, tailored interactive HL workshop improved patients’ pre-visit preparation skills, self-efficacy and HL in a convenience sample of Arab women from East Jerusalem. HL can be improved with intervention and as such can be considered a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

EFFECTIVE DOCTOR-PATIENT COMMUNICATION A KEY FACTOR FOR ASSESSING PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH DENTAL SERVICES PROVIDED

In recent years, great progress has been made in the communication between dental practitioners and their patients. In the 21 st century, communication has become an essential and necessary clinical skill for every dental professional. Communication skills are a skill that every medical professional must master in order to build the best possible relationships with patients. This includes the ability to form a certain idea about the patient's oral disease, altering the patient's mood (minimizing fear, anxiety, increasing confidence, hope for favorable treatment results), influencing the patient's lifestyle and behavior in order to carry out the recommendations given by the dental specialist treating him. They are described in the scientific literature the different models of the relationship between the doctor and the patient, as well as the research of authors regarding the importance of good communication about the patient's dental treatment procedure satisfaction. Aim: The present study aims to investigate the impact of efficient communication towards patient satisfaction with the quality of dental services provided. Materials and methods: Sociological survey has been carried out. For the respondents’ convenience participating in the research, the opportunity to choose between two options for filling out the survey card is provided: a paper survey card and Online questionnaire created in Google Forms. A survey was conducted on a voluntary basis in May-July 2023. The results of the survey are presented in table and graphic form, which are accompanied by analyzes and conclusions. For the purposes of the research, 358 patients treated by fourth, fifth- and sixth year students in the facility of the Faculty of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of Varna - were surveyed. Results: There is a positive correlation observed from the survey between effective doctor-patient communication and patient satisfaction with the quality of dental services provided. Good communication with the patient strengthens the trust in the dentist and helps the patient anxiety of the upcoming dental manipulations. Conclusion: Quality dental services are the basis for the success of the diagnostic - treatment process of any dental practice. Communication with the patient and his relatives is the duty of every dentist, which is of great importance for preserving the mental health of the patient. Great attention is paid to the development of communication skills by dental practitioners. According to a number of studies, effective communication with patients is at the heart of the success of any dental practice. Following some basic rules in communication is a key factor in a good relationship between the dentist and the patient.