title: The pediatric surgeon-patient relationship.
abstract: Though technical aspects of surgical practice are commonly emphasized, communication is the most frequent "procedure" employed by surgeons. A good patient-physician relationship enhances the quality of surgical care by improving outcomes and patient and family satisfaction. There are general principles that can enhance communication with all children and families. Employing a developmentally sensitive approach that adjusts communication style based on a child's cognitive abilities and emotional concerns can further enhance the relationship with children of different ages. These communication skills can be learned and are improved by practice and self-reflection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010, USA. srackley@childrensnational.org
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rackley
authors.forename: John Michael
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bostwick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Communication; Developmental stages; Doctor–patient relationship; Pediatrics; Surgery