Improving interpersonal communication between health care providers and clients.

Abstract

This monograph discusses the importance of interpersonal communication (IPC) as a tool for improving health care outcomes in developing countries and describes techniques for enhancing provider communication skills. In addition it provides a job aid and several data collection instruments that can be used in various settings. Divided into two parts Part I provides a conceptual framework for IPC. It discusses the background of the communication process its importance guidelines and norms for effective IPC planning and implementing training activities and presents case studies on the training effort. Part II presents in detail the case studies in training health care providers in IPC conducted in Honduras Trinidad and Tobago and Egypt. The appendices provided included the job aid; training manuals for IPC in Egypt Trinidad and Tobago and Honduras; data collection tools; and an annotated bibliography.