Non-verbal communication: an update on smell

ABSTRACT

Non-verbal communication is an important aspect of communication skills and sometimes involves making assumptions with smell being one aspect of non-verbal communication. Here the subconscious associations that come with smell are highlighted and by increasing self- awareness, the doctor–patient relationship in the consultation may be improved.

KEYWORDS:

• Communication skills
• smell
• doctor–patient relationship
• non-verbal

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.