Effects of assertive communication between doctors and patients in public health outpatient surgeries in the city of Seville (Spain)

The quality of communication between doctors and patients of the Public Health Services in the city of Seville, Spain was investigated. A total of 228 doctors were selected at random from all of the clinics in the city for interviews. The interviews were guided by a purpose-designed questionnaire, which obtained answers to 30 variables grouped under 4 headings: variables which influence doctor-patient communication, interest in the consultation, information used in the consultation, and qualities of doctor-patient communication. Chi-squared tests were carried out on the different groups, which confirmed the objectives proposed in the investigation – among which was the need to set up communications training programs for doctors in order to improve their communication skills.