use of digital tablets eases the way to compassionate care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: A patient communication program was implemented as a response to hospitals visiting restrictive policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the program was to facilitate communication between patients and families, mainly through the use of digital tablets; thus program performance was evaluated by selecting the number of calls performed, the average call time, and the percentage of patients that used the program more than once. Methods: A communication service for hospitalized patients who did not have access to a personal electronic device or were unable to use their electronic device was launched at different MUHC hospitals. A dedicated team of re-deployed employees was available to help patients connect with their loved ones using a hospital tablet or telephone. Results: A total of 806 calls were performed between April and November 2020. Eighty one percent of the calls were performed during the non-visitors policy implementation, being video calls preferred over phone calls. The average call time was 15 min, 34% of the patients had a video call with their loved one more than once and 40% of the calls were performed in the intensive care unit. Conclusion: The patient communication program can be described as a new delivery model of compassionate care. It was effective, helped reduce patients’ isolation and met the needs of family members and caregivers during the hospital non-visitors policy directed by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux de Québec during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Efficacy and safety of 3D printing-assisted percutaneous nephrolithotomy in complex renal calculi

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of 3D printing technology combined with percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the treatment of complex renal calculi. Ninety patients with complex renal calculi were randomly divided into a 3D printing group (45 patients) and a control group (45 patients). In the 3D printing group, a patient-specific 1:1 3D printing model was established based on the patient's thin-layer CT scanning data. A 3D printing model was used for preoperative communication between doctors and patients. Preoperative puncture training, channel design, residual stone prediction, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy were performed under the guidance of a 3D printing model and B-ultrasound. The control group was treated with the conventional B-ultrasound-guided puncture method. Results suggest that there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The overall score of the doctor-patient communication objects in the 3D printing group was 19.32 ± 1.57 points, and in the control group, it was 14.51 ± 2.13 points. The operation time of the 3D printing group was 103.21 ± 13.49 min, and that of the control group was 126.12 ± 25.87 min. The calculi clearance rate of the 3D printing group was 96%, while that of the control group was 80%. The incidence of postoperative complications was 6.67% in the 3D printing group and 22.22% in the control group. Compared with traditional percutaneous nephrolithotomy, 3D printing technology combined with percutaneous nephrolithotomy can significantly enhance the effectiveness of doctor–patient communication, shorten operation time, reduce operation bleeding, improve the stone clearance rate, reduce the incidence of complications and shorten the length of hospital stay. The proposed method is thus a safe and effective method to treat complex renal calculi.

What is in the toolkit (and what are the tools)? How to approach the study of doctor–patient communication

Doctor–patient communication is important, but is challenging to study, in part because it is multifaceted. Communication can be considered in terms of both the aspects of the communication itself, and its measurable effects. These effects are themselves varied: they can be proximal or distal, and can focus on subjective measures (how patients feel about communication), or objective measures (exploring more concrete health outcomes or behaviours). The wide range of methodologies available has resulted in a heterogeneous literature which can be difficult to compare and analyse.Here, we provide a conceptual approach to studying doctor–patient communication, examining both variables which can controlled and different outcomes which can be measured. We present methodologies which can be used (questionnaires, semistructured interviews, vignette studies, simulated patient studies and observations of real interactions), with particular emphasis on their respective logistical advantages/disadvantages and scientific merits/limitations. To study doctor–patient communication more effectively, two or more different study designs could be used in combination.We have provided a concise and practically relevant review of the methodologies available to study doctor–patient communication to give researchers an objective view of the toolkit available to them: both to understand current research, and to conduct robust and relevant studies in the future.

Surgeons’ non-transparent facemasks challenge the physician–patient relationship in the orthopedic outpatient clinic of a tertiary university hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective cohort study of 285 patients

Background and purpose — Facemasks play a role in preventing the respiratory spread of SARS-CoV-2, but their impact on the physician–patient relationship in the orthopedic outpatient clinic is unclear. We investigated whether the type of surgeons’ facemask impacts patients’ perception of the physician–patient relationship, influences their understanding of what the surgeon said, or affects their perceived empathy. Patients and methods — All patients with an appointment in the orthopedic outpatient clinic of a tertiary university hospital during the 2-week study period were included. During consultations, all surgeons wore a non-transparent (first study week) or transparent facemask (second study week). Results of 285 of 407 eligible patients were available for analysis. The doctor–patient relationship was evaluated using the standardized Patient Reactions Assessment (PRA) and a 10-point Likert-scale questionnaire ranging from 0 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agree). Results — A non-transparent facemask led to more restrictions in the physician–patient communication and a worse understanding of what the surgeon said. Patients’ understanding improved with a transparent facemask with greatest improvements reported by patients aged 65 years and older (non-transparent: 6 [IQR 5–10] vs. transparent: 10 [IQR 9–10], p < 0.001) and by patients with a self-reported hearing impairment (non-transparent: 7 [IQR 3–7] vs. transparent: 9 [IQR 9–10], p < 0.001). The median PRA score was higher when surgeons wore a transparent facemask (p= 0.003). Interpretation — Surgeons’ non-transparent facemasks pose a new communication barrier that can negatively affect the physician–patient relationship. While emotional factors like affectivity and empathy seem to be less affected overall, the physician–patient communication and patients’ understanding of what the surgeon said seem to be negatively affected.

Impact of Patient Communication Preferences on the Patient Trust in Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iranian Outpatient's Clinics

There are widely emerging concerns that patient confidence in physicians is diminishing as physician–patient communication is threatened globally. This study aimed to assess patient communication preferences and their impact on patient trust in physicians. A cross-sectional study was conducted among outpatient clinics of 2 public and private hospitals in Tabriz, Iran. A total of 704 patients were selected conveniently. Of the 704 patients, 6.39% had low trust, 36.79% moderate trust, 35.37% had a high trust, and 21.45% had blind trust in physicians. Overall patient communication preference score was more in a private clinic rather than a public one ( P = .008). Patients of private hospitals and those who were living in rural areas have been shown to have more trust in physicians. Patients’ trust in physicians showed a significant association with patient communication preference ( B = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.53-0.63, P < .001).

Patient-Physician Communication in Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Introduction: An effective communication is an integral part of the patient-physician relationship. Lack of a healthy patient-physician relationship leads to a lower level of patient satisfaction, scarce understanding of interventions and poor adherence to treatment regimes. Patients need to be involved in the therapeutic process and the assessment of risks and perspectives of the illness in order to better evaluate their options. Physicians, in turn, must convey and communicate information clearly in order to avoid misunderstandings and consequently poor medical care. The patient-physician relationship in cancer care is extremely delicate due to the complexity of the disease. In cancer diagnosis, the physician must adopt a communicative approach that considers the psychosocial factors, needs and patient’s preferences for information,which in turn all contribute to affect clinical outcomes. Search Strategy and Methods : This review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. We included studies on the importance of physician-patient communication in Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome care. We searched PubMed, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Google scholar for studies published from December 1 st , 2020 up to March 1 st , 2021. Using MeSH headings, we search for the terms “Physician and patient communication AND Acute Myeloid leukemia” or “Myelodysplastic syndrome” or “Doctor” or “Clinician”, as well as variations thereof . Purpose of the Review : This review examines the progress in communication research between patient and physician and focuses on the impact of communication styles on patient-physician relationshipin hematologic cancers, including Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes.