A survey of 262 physicians found that only 2/5 were satisfied with how they managed test results.

It is noteworthy that efforts to facilitate communication with patients included: 1) the system automatically generating a patient notification letter, 2) the doc acknowledging receipt of the result and documenting that "communication will be made at a later time," or 3) they actually make a call to the patient.  Guess what happens most of the time? And: #1 and #2.

While there's little doubt that communication is related to patient satisfaction, what doctors often fail to realize is that poor interpersonal communication is the proximate reason for not only patient dissatisfaction, but also a lack of satisfaction, as well.

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 From my blog "Healthcare reform & Managed Care" (MDNG.com)

 "Garner and Maintain Patient Satisfaction: Managed Care 101 in 2010 (Part II)" – Originally published Monday, October 27, 2008

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“I would say that listening actually takes practice because you have to get out of the way of what it is that you’re hearing.”

^{Playwright and actress, Anna Deavere Smith, speaking about her show, "Let Me Down Easy."}