Educational illustrations as an aid in patient-doctor communication, exemplified by patients with dyspepsia

Abstract

Objective — To construct and test an instrument for improved communication with the patients.

Design — Educational illustrations were constructed and used as a supplement during the consultation. After conventional history-taking, physical examination and, in some cases, blood sampling, the patient was shown a series of educational illustrations. This additional instrument, which is described in this paper, was used as an aid to find the main reason for the symptoms of the patients.

Setting — A Swedish primary health care centre.

Participants — 61 women and 39 men, visiting a health centre for dyspeptic symptoms, the majority of whom aged between 20 and 59 years.

Results and conclusion — The educational illustrations were useful in trying to give structure for the patient's problems and as a starting point for later beneficial cooperation between doctor and patient.

Key Words:

• dyspepsia
• life situation
• socio-economic factors
• health education
• educational illustrations