title: Therapeutic communication between health workers and patients concerning diabetes mellitus care.
abstract: The objective of this cross-sectional study was to analyze therapeutic communication techniques used by health workers with patients under care for diabetes mellitus. Data were collected in 2010 in a public facility in the interior of Ceará, Brazil using video camera equipment and direct observation. Results showed that the most frequently used techniques within the "expression" group were: asking questions, voicing interest, and using descriptive phrases. The most frequently used technique within the "clarification" group was: asking the patient to specify the agent of action. Finally, in regard to the "validation" group, only the technique "summarizing content of the interaction" was employed. The conclusion is that despite the use of communication techniques on the part of professionals, there is still an alarming gap concerning communication skills. Such skills should be allied with technical expertise to enable the delivery of qualified care to individuals with diabetes mellitus.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Ceará, Departamento de Enfermagem, Brazil. martadamasceno@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Marta Maria Coelho
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Damasceno
authors.forename: Maria Lúcia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.forename: Emilia Campos
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.forename: Carla Regina de Souza
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Márcio Flávio Moura
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: de Araújo
authors.forename: Ana Maria Parente Garcia
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Alencar
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations