Browse the corpus

Understanding the concept of half-life is a critical first step in determining dosing schedules for pharmacological treatment. However, arguably more important is the communication of this management plan from the clinician or pharmacist to the interprofessional care team. Effective communication remains a key determinant of quality care delivery. A literature review suggests that communication skills should be heavily emphasized before healthcare professionals enter clinical settings, ensuring they master these skills during training before engaging in patient interactions.[11] Interestingly, face-to-face communication was considered the most effective method for understanding a patient's care plan completely, although written communication remains the most commonly used. However, this contrast does not mean that written communication lacks its strengths. Written communication provides a more permanent record that can be revisited if needed. In addition, the advent of electronic medical records allows for the almost instantaneous transmission of entire patient records regardless of the distance between healthcare providers, something that face-to-face communication is less suited for. Unsurprisingly, interprofessional communication has also been correlated with patient satisfaction.[12] Conversely, poor communication has been cited as an issue in more than 80% of lawsuits, further emphasizing the critical importance of effective communication in health care. Poor communication could have occurred at any point during a patient's care, whether between a patient and a staff member, a nurse and a clinician, among clinicians, or a clinician and a patient. Due to the complexity of any individual's course through the healthcare system, strong communication is essential. From a financial perspective, Medicare uses patient satisfaction surveys to determine hospital reimbursement through pay-for-performance programs, providing a powerful incentive for healthcare professionals to prioritize effective communication with and around patients.[13] Numerous studies, including those mentioned previously, support the ongoing push to improve communication practices. This area of health care is extensively researched due to its impact on patient satisfaction with healthcare professionals, making it a top priority for hospitals and healthcare providers worldwide.