Final Report > Chapter 23: Respect and Honesty > Communication skills: overcoming the barriers to effective communication

Communication skills: overcoming the barriers to effective communication

27 Patients are entitled to expect that those who care for them, doctors, nurses and others, will be able to listen, to explain and to communicate with them. Patients are also entitled to expect that healthcare professionals will be able to communicate effectively with each other. Whatever the circumstances, the need for good communication is constant and is integral to good care.