The value of physicians’ affect-oriented communication for patients’ recall of information

Objective The aim of this paper is to discuss experimental research investigating the effect of physicians’ affect-oriented communication on patients’ recall of information provided during medical consultations, with a special focus on the mediating role of emotional stress in that relation. Methods & results A search of experimental research literature was conducted, resulting in six research articles experimentally investigating the relations of interest, all using a video-vignettes design. A summary of results is provided and discussed. Conclusions The research reviewed in this paper provides evidence for the causal and mostly positive influence of several forms of affect-oriented communication on patients’ recall of medical information. Results indicate that reducing emotional stress may not be the underlying mechanism through which physicians’ communication influences patients’ recall. Practice implications The obtained insights will help educators to teach evidence-based medical communication skills and to scientifically validate the importance of these skills for patients’ recall of information. Advancing physicians’ communication skills with evidence-based training will contribute to the professionalism that is the hallmark of good quality of care.