title: Does improving patient-practitioner communication improve clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular diseases? A systematic review of the evidence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a systematic literature review appraising the effects of interventions to improve patient-practitioner communication on cardiovascular-related clinical outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Databases were searched up to March 27, 2013 to identify eligible studies that included interventions to improve patient and/or practitioner communication skills and assessment of a cardiovascular-related clinical outcome in adults ≥18 years of age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen papers were reviewed: the primary focus in seven studies was the patient; seven included a practitioner-focused intervention and one targeted both. Two patient-focused and two practitioner-focused studies demonstrated a beneficial effect of the intervention compared to a control group. Patient-focused studies were designed to improve patients' information-seeking and question-asking skills with their practitioner. Practitioner-focused studies were designed to either improve practitioner's general patient-centered communication or risk communication skills.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Few interventions targeting patient-practitioner communication have assessed the impact on cardiovascular-related clinical outcomes, limiting the ability to determine effectiveness. Additional rigorous research supported by theoretical frameworks and validated measurement is needed to understand the potential of patient-practitioner communication to improve cardiovascular-related clinical outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Investments in communication skills trainings in medical education and practice are needed in order to attain the full potential of patient-centered care on cardiovascular-related clinical outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Center for Healthful Behavior Change, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA. Electronic address: antoinette.schoenthaler@nyumc.org.
authors.forename: Antoinette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schoenthaler
authors.affiliation: Section of Primary Care, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Adina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalet
authors.affiliation: NYU Health Sciences Libraries, Department of Medical Library, NYU School of Medicine, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.affiliation: Section of Primary Care, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Mack
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lipkin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations
keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Patient–practitioner communication; Systematic review