Communication between the physician and the patient as a main function in the practice of general medicine
General Medicine, 2023, 25(2), 37-44.
A. Alakidi1, V. Mihaylova2,3, M. Lyochkova3
1 Department of Epidemiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University ‒ Sofia
2 Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Sofia
3 Department of Healthcare Management, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University ‒ Plovdiv
Abstract. Communication skills are a significant part of medical practice, with a leading role for the general practitioner/GP, and are essential in coping with major patient issues, including those of a psychological and social nature. The empathic interactivity is evaluated from the position of the physician’s symmetrical emotional responsiveness to the patient’s messages, appearing to be an essential prerequisite and key concept for initiating emotional themes during the patient’s visit. A transcription of the analytic language system under the Ulmer model is introduced. It is outlined that general practitioners and psychosomatic specialists are an optimal team to work together. Although there is a tendency in the medical education system to place greater emphasis on communication, certain neglect and deficits in this area is observed. Streamlining activity management at the expense of reducing the length of the patient’s visit is put to the front. The provocation and display of physician’s competence in managing emotionally based conversations is brought forward as an indicator and moral compass of the quality in the GP’s activity and its screening function in the healthcare system.
Key words: communication, empathic interactivity, general practitioner, optimal team
Address for correspondence: Assoc. Prof. Vanina Mihaylova, e-mail: v.mihailova@foz.mu-sofia.bg