11 tips to improve physician communication

Physicians have always prided themselves on being good communicators. Still, surveys show that they often overestimate their ability to communicate effectively with their patients. A well-publicized study reports that the average doctor interrupts a patient after sixteen seconds during the interview process. So, what can physicians do to improve their communication skills and lower their risk of lawsuits? Following are some suggestions.

Neil Baum, MD, a Professor of Clinical Urology at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.