Educational illustrations as an aid in patient-doctor communication, exemplified by patients with dyspepsia.
OBJECTIVE
To construct and test an instrument for improved communication with the patients.


METHODS
Educational illustrations were constructed and used as a supplement during the consultation. After conventional history-taking, physical examination and, in some cases, blood sampling, the patient was shown a series of educational illustrations. This additional instrument, which is described in this paper, was used as an aid to find the main reason for the symptoms of the patients.


METHODS
A Swedish primary health care centre.


METHODS
61 women and 39 men, visiting a health centre for dyspeptic symptoms, the majority of whom aged between 20 and 59 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The educational illustrations were useful in trying to give structure for the patient's problems and as a starting point for later beneficial cooperation between doctor and patient.
Health Centre of Anggården, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Wohrm
D000328:Adult; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008488:Medical Illustration; D008875:Middle Aged; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors