Title: Science Communication and Health
Subtitle: Fostering Trust in Doctor-Patient Interaction
Subject Classification:  Language and Linguistics, Healthcare, Philosophy  
BIC Classification: CF, HP, MBDC
BISAC Classification: LAN004000, MED074000, PHI038000
Binding: Hardback, Paperback, eBook
Publication date: 17 Oct 2024
ISBN (Hardback): 978-1-80441-893-2
ISBN (eBook): 978-1-80441-894-9
ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-80441-895-6

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Description

Communication is not only a means but also a place, where relationships establish. This book argues that a trustworthy relationship can be established through carefully managed communication. Thus, knowing and understanding language and its dynamic is essential to orient oneself during communication; this allows the speakers to fully take the opportunity to foster mutual trust.

Knowing language does not only mean managing what is said, but especially being aware of what it implies, entails, and what is unsaid. This is especially true in the case of doctor-patient communication, where one of the speakers is also the subject of the speech. The author looks at the moment of interaction between the physician and the patient as the chance for building and consolidating a strong therapeutic alliance. If the chance is not taken or wisely managed, it could cause the opposite, i.e., loss of trust, also possibly influencing patient’s concordance to treatment.

This unusual and valuable approach to doctor-patient communication has its roots in the philosophy of language, and the philosophy of science.

Biography

Author(s):  Dr. Monica Consolandi, PhD, is a researcher at the Center for Digital Health and Well-Being, Intelligent Digital Agents Unit, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy.

Reviews

"This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the doctor-patient communicative dynamics at the intersection between the philosophy of language, ethics, and science communication. Monica Consolandi skillfully weaves together historical perspectives, philosophical analyses, and practical applications to provide aholistic view of effective communication in medical settings to build solid therapeutic alliances. Consolandi critically analyzes the complexities embedded in doctor-patient interactions. The author highlights the explicit and implicit elements in medical communication (i.e., "what is said and what is unsaid") emerging from three case studies – i.e., pre-operative evaluation, organ donation, and pancreatic cancer – conducted in the Italian context. The quality of communication between doctors and patients plays a crucial role in these complex dynamics: it can influence the therapeutic path, the level of trust, and the level of (mis)understanding.This book is a valuable contribution to the fields of medical communication, (bio)ethics, and philosophy. It offers a fresh and interdisciplinary perspective on how philosophical tools can enhance doctor-patient interactions and improve the communication of severe diagnoses. The blend of historical context, philosophical analysis, and practical applications makes it a compelling read for healthcare practitioners, researchers, and policymakers."
- Eliana Fattorini, University of Trento, Italy