Outpatient communication patterns in a cancer hospital in China: A qualitative study of doctor–patient encounters.

Objective: The paper characterizes outpatient communication in a major cancer hospital in southern China with regard to the structure, style and focus of doctor–patient communication. Method: Fifty‐one encounters between doctors and patients were recorded in the outpatient department of the cancer h...

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Published in:Health Expectations Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 594 - 604
Main Authors: Kang, Ge, Tu, Jiong, Cheng, Yu, Zhong, Jiudi
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Jun2019
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2019
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      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
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        10.1111/hex.12890
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      tig:
        atl: Outpatient communication patterns in a cancer hospital in China: A qualitative study of doctor–patient encounters.
      aug:
        au:
          Kang, Ge
          Tu, Jiong
          Cheng, Yu
          Zhong, Jiudi
        affil: School of Sociology and Anthropology, Sun Yat‐sen University, Guangzhou China
      sug:
        subj:
          Communication Methods
          Outpatient Service
          Physician-Patient Relations
          Cancer Care Facilities
          Physician Attitudes
          Human
          China
          Quantitative Studies
          Social Dominance
          Interpersonal Relations
          Funding Source
          Health Facility Environment
          Quality of Health Care
          Patient Satisfaction
      ab: Objective: The paper characterizes outpatient communication in a major cancer hospital in southern China with regard to the structure, style and focus of doctor–patient communication. Method: Fifty‐one encounters between doctors and patients were recorded in the outpatient department of the cancer hospital and analysed inductively to identify patterns of doctor–patient outpatient communication. Results: Outpatient communication in the cancer hospital is characterized by structuralized conversation, doctor domination of the conversation and a focus on technology during communication. These characteristics suggest an extreme inequality of power between Chinese doctors and patients at the individual level. They are also shaped by the institutional environment of Chinese hospitals. Discussion: Measures should be taken at both the interpersonal and institutional level to improve doctor–patient communication. At the micro‐interpersonal level, public education and professional skills training are needed to improve communication and promote mutual understanding between patients and doctors. At the macro‐institutional level, changes are needed in terms of transforming the structural factors that shape doctor–patient communication. Conclusions: Structuralized conversation, doctor domination of the conversation and a focus on technology during outpatient encounters present challenges to effective doctor–patient communication. These patterns are shaped by the institutional environment of Chinese hospitals and suggest the extreme power imbalance between Chinese doctors and patients.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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