In medical practice communication skill plays a very vital role. With increasing cases needing recommendation regarding life style diseases, communication with patients is the tool to emphasize the risk factors and their prevention. U.S. medical schools have recognized the importance of doctor-patient communication and many now train medical students how to discuss medical risks and health screening tests with patients. It is high time that doctors use computers more and more in their practice.

Team@CMHF

Till today many physicians rely on verbal communications alone. According to the study, there’s no clear evidence that points to the best format for communicating risk most effectively, but recent research has allowed a ranking of the different communication formats in terms of effectiveness and patient understanding.

According to the study authors, there’s no clear evidence that points to the best format for communicating risk most effectively, but recent research has allowed a ranking of the different communication formats in terms of effectiveness and patient understanding. Research shows that using information on natural frequencies; graphics, such as bar charts; or combinations of these items leads to greater comprehension than using percentages or verbal qualifiers.

A member of the AAFP Commission on Health of the Public and Science, told AAFP News Now he uses a number of formats — verbal, numerical and visual — to convey CVD risk to patients, making good use of the computer terminals. He mentioned, “I’ve seen patients being extremely impressed by seeing it on the computer — more than if I had talked to them about stopping smoking.” Internet and EHRs have made patient education materials — both written and Graphical easily accessible.

However, she told AAFP News Now, the quality of information on the Internet, whether text or visual can vary widely, and physicians can help patients sort it all out by pointing them to the most reliable sites.

However, the quality of information on the Internet, whether text or visual can vary widely, and physicians can help patients sort it all out by pointing them to the most reliable sites.

Reference: http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/news/news-now/practice-professional-issues/20110706riskcommunication.html