Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: This book aims to help patients take control of their health and health professionals to improve their communication with patients and caregivers.Patients are urged to become aware of their contribution to communication during their consultations with healthcare providers.The authors use their own experience and extensive research to provide an evidence-based guide on how to go about accessing accurate, evidencebased health information from the provider, and to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system when searching for information.This is a very ambitious book, which urges patients to ask questions about their health in encounters with healthcare professionals.By asking questions it is argued that patients can be helped to self-manage their condition and work collaboratively with healthcare professionals to improve health outcomes.The authors take a global perspective, which moves across organisational and cultural structures to identify the patterns, opportunities and challenges for both patients and providers in relation to communicative competence in healthcare.They link patterns of interaction between providers and patients with positive health outcomes.They challenge readers to think about their own approach to health interactions (whether a healthcare professional, researcher or a patient) and propose that the book could help with difficult moments regarding one's health.However, the book is based on the cultural context of the US and some of the questions suggested to ask the healthcare provider may feel out of place and uncomfortable in the cultural context of the UK and elsewhere.The authors have been studying health communication for over 25 years.They draw on a wealth of research evidence in health communication and health literacy as well as
Source: Sociology of Health & Illness
Author: Anne Arber
Institution: University of Surrey
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1548747981