title: Introductory remarks.
abstract: This panel addressed five pertinent sets of questions involved in the communication process between women and their health care providers. Does gender really make a difference in health service delivery? Are health professionals taught adequate communication skills? Do communication barriers stem from the clinical setting itself? What are the most important barriers to effective communication with respect to women and particularly elderly women? Has there been progress in communication between patients and health care providers?
authors.forename: Mary Frances
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Lowe