Take Part in a study on Doctor/Patient Communication

Ever felt like communication with your doctor could have been better? You're not alone. According to the British Medical Association, 'Poor communication plays a part in the majority of complaints against doctors and health care services.'

Healthwatch Lambeth is working with The Healthcare Improvement Studies (THIS) Institute on a study to better understand how doctors communicate with patients about the process of diagnosis and how it can be improved. 

THIS Institute are based at the University of Cambridge, in the School of Clinical Medicine. Find out more about them here.

About the study

Doctor-patient communication is an important part of healthcare. When a patient goes to a doctor with an issue there might be a number of potential causes. Part of the doctor’s job is to work through possible causes and communicate that to the patient.

The process of working out what is causing a patient’s symptoms is called the diagnostic process. Doctors’ have different ways of communicating with patients about this. Previous research discovered a wide variety of styles among doctors when it came to communication preferences. 

In its latest study, THIS is looking for patients and future patients’ views of communicating diagnosis and wants to understand if how the process of diagnosis is communicated has an impact on you, the patient. 

The results will help inform future research in the area and improve education and training for medical students and doctors in practice.

How do I Take Part?

We want to hear everyone’s views, whether you are currently receiving care or not.

You can find out more about the study here (or email the research team on (codus@thisinstitute.cam.ac.uk) and express an interest in taking part by emailing info@healthwatchlambeth.org.uk or call us on 020 7274 8522.