[Doctor-patient communication in the cathlab. How to deliver the news].
BACKGROUND
Communication between patient and physician remains a central step of interaction.


METHODS
15 min after receiving the results of their coronary angiography via a standard verbal report, a total of 288 patients were asked the following questions: (1) Were the results of coronary angiography explained to you? (2) Who performed your procedure? (3) Were there any narrowings in your coronary arteries? (4) Was your left ventricular ejection fraction normal? (5) What kind of therapy was recommended to you?


RESULTS
98.6% of the patients were informed about the results of their coronary angiography. 31.2% were able to recall the name of the interventionalist. 52.8% knew about their coronary arteries, 36.8% knew their left ventricular function, and 92.7% were able to recall the recommendations for therapy (mean 53.4% correct answers). In 14.6%, the causes of incorrect answers were related to the patient, in 85.4% to the doctor. The number of incorrect answers increased significantly in patients with complex angiographic results, cultural discordance between physician and patient, and presentation of the results by noncardiologists (p < 0.001 for all).


CONCLUSIONS
Communication of coronary angiography results to patients via standard verbal reports leads to frequent misunderstanding. To resolve communication problems in the cathlab as effective as possible, communication skills of physicians should be improved.
Ohlow
Marc-Alexander
MA
Klinik für Kardiologie, Zentralklinik Bad Berka, 99437, Bad Berka, Germany. m.ohlow.kar@zentralklinik-bad-berka.de
Secknus
Maria-Anna
MA
Wagner
Andreas
A
Farah
Ahmed
A
Buchter
Björn
B
Yu
Jiangtao
J
Lauer
Bernward
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003142:Communication; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires