The health care communicator: An identification of skills and problems

Abstract

This survey of health care professionals, subdivided into occupational groups of supervisors, counselors, and nurses, identified communication skills and problems within health care agencies and between practitioners and patients. Significant differences when communicating with superiors, subordinates, clients, and patients were found among groups. Overall, interpersonal skills were recognized as most important for superior‐subordinate and practitioner‐patient interactions. However, problems identified involved communication within the organization between superiors and subordinates. The study suggests that future training and research of health care professionals include an internal communication focus between those in superior and subordinate roles.