Abstract
Background: Patient-doctor communication is an important aspect of healthcare delivery. It impacts health outcomes and clinical success. This study explored the role of effective patient-doctor communication in improving healthcare in Nigeria.
Methods: This study used a mixed-methods design, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative method involved in-depth interviews with 15 doctors. The quantitative method followed a cross-sectional design, using questionnaires to collect data from 222 patients at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada. The quantitative data from the questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics, in contrast, the qualitative data from the interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Findings revealed that accurate diagnosis, better treatment outcomes, patient satisfaction, and early detection of potential health issues are the outcomes of effective patient-doctor communication at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada. It was also found that doctors employ patient-centered communication, active listening, and collaborative care to effectively communicate with patients. However, language barriers and cultural differences result in dissatisfaction among doctors and patients. Additionally, an overwhelming number of patients waiting to be seen, delayed appointments, inadequate file records, disorganized workloads, and system failures are setbacks that hinder effective patient-doctor communication at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada.
Conclusion: Effective patient-doctor communication offers great potential for improving healthcare delivery. Therefore, hiring sufficient employees will effectively aid in managing the high volume of patients. Furthermore, hospitals should employ professional interpreters proficient in local languages to facilitate effective communication. Also, when patients share their cultural beliefs, healthcare providers should educate them on how these beliefs can influence their treatment.
Downloads
References
- Aregbeshola B. Health care in Nigeria: challenges and recommendations. 2019. Available from: https://socialprotection.org/discover/blog/health-care-nigeria-challenges-and-recommendations [Accessed on 19 March 2024].
- Blackstone SW. Issues and challenges in advancing effective patient-provider communication. In: Blackstone SW, Beukelman DR, Yorkston KM, editors. Patient-provider communication: roles for speech-language pathologists and other health care professionals. San Diego, CA, USA: Plural Publishing; 2015. pp. 9-35.
- Chipidza FE, Wallwork RS, Stern TA. Impact of the Doctor-Patient Relationship. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2015;22;17(5) doi: 10.4088/PCC.15f01840.
- Nwosu LC, Edo GI, Yesiltas M, Agoh E, Lawal RA. Evaluation of factors influencing physician-patient communication in healthcare service delivery. BOHR International Journal of General and Internal Medicine. 2023;2(1):22-28. https://doi.org/10.54646/bijgim.2023.15
- Folorunso O. Communication skills of medical doctors in Nigeria. Journal of Positive Psychology and Counselling (Online). 2020; 5:287-302.
- Nwabueze C, Nwankwo NN. Ethnicity and doctor-patient communication: an exploratory study of University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. J Participat Med. 2016;8:e12.
- Adebayo CT. Physician-Patient Interactions in Nigeria: A Critical-Cultural Perspective on the Role of Power. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research. 2020;50(1), 21–40. https://doi.org/10.1080/17475759.2020.1799845
- Ngene AH, Grace M, Idowu OO, Balogun BM. A Comparative Qualitative Analysis of Doctor-Patient Communication in a Selected Private and Public Medical Centre in Lagos State, Nigeria. 2022;26(6):2910-2080.
- Sekoni B, Odunlami A, Akeredolu-Ale BI. Health Communication Analysis of Doctor-Patient Relationship and Patient’s Health South West Nigeria. Journal of Humanities, Social Science and Creative Arts, 2021;16(1):31-42.
- Al Shamsi H, Almutairi AG, Al Mashrafi S, Al Kalbani T. Implications of language barriers for healthcare: A systematic review. Oman Med J. 2020;35(2):e122. doi: 10.5001/omj.2020.40.
- Frankel RM, Stein T. Getting the most out of the clinical encounter: the four habits model. J Med Pract Manage. 2001 Jan-Feb;16(4):184-91.
- Chandra S, Mohammadnezhad M. Doctor-patient communication in primary health care: A mixed-method study in Fiji. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(14):7548. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18147548.
- Matusitz J, Spear J. Effective doctor-patient communication: an updated examination. Social Work in Public Health. 2014;29(3):252-266. https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2013.776416
- Shitu Z, Hassan I, Aung MMT, Kamaruzaman THT, Musa RM. Avoiding medication errors through effective communication in a healthcare environment. Malaysian Journal of Movement, Health & Exercise. 2018;7(1):113-126. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3573437.
- Ndukauba K, Ohuoba AN, Nduka I. Communication, language and healthcare delivery: a mutually inclusive relationship. International Journal of Language and Linguistics. 2021; 8(2):45-53. doi:10.30845/ijll.v8n2p5.
- Umar I, Oche MO, Umar AS. Patient waiting time in a tertiary health institution in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology. 2011;3(2):78-82. doi:10.5897/JPHE.9000081.
