Five Steps to Understand Communication Skills in General Practice Logically

Abstract

Communication skills play an important role in general practice. Good communication skills can improve patient compliance and overall satisfaction and a lack of these skills can increase medical error. Physical knowledge is growing and driving the perception that communication is peripheral, especially among medical trainees and junior physicians. This skill is often overlooked as easy or self-explanatory. However, the application of communication skills are very important while the development of these skills require a process. Furthermore, practicing communication skills alone cannot reduce medical error. A better understanding of the developmental process and concepts will result in more flexibility and better application. This article reviews five steps to understand the different level of communication skills logically (i.e., medical humanities, principles of family medicine/general practice, clinical methods, and counseling micro skills to clinical applications). The aim is to find a style in clinical consultation that comfortable and right for each physician.