In Reply: “Double reflection”: A practical approach to teach patient-doctor communication in oncology

In Reply

"....The relevant communication competencies, as listed in the checklist by Mannhardt et al., cover skills related to conveying information in an understandable way and building rapport with patients and others. The differences between and the interdependencies of ethics and communication skills regarding decision making in oncology can be illustrated by item number 8 of the instrument used by Mannhardt et al., on whether goals of the conversation were achieved as viewed by the patient and the doctor [1]. From an ethical perspective, this item begs several questions: whose goals should determine decision making? Were both parties able to make their goals explicit? Was there an exchange of the values underlying the (possibly different) goals? Did they engage in a process of mutual agreement about what the goals of the conversation were?....

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   Abstract/FREE Full Text
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   Abstract/FREE Full Text