Exploring the Impact of Health Practitioner Communication on Post-Treatment Psychological Recovery

Abstract

Background: Effective communication by health practitioners is a crucial factor influencing patient recovery, particularly in the psychological domain. Clarity, empathy, and trust in communication are often highlighted as pivotal elements, yet their specific impact on psychological outcomes during recovery remains underexplored.

Objectives:This study aimed to investigate the contribution of health practitioner communication to psychological recovery following treatment. The objectives included identifying critical communication elements, analysing their relationship with psychological outcomes, and exploring strategies to enhance communication to facilitate recovery.

Methods:A mixed-methods approach was adopted, incorporating quantitative analysis of survey responses from 100 patients and thematic analysis of qualitative feedback. Participants were adults (18+ years) who had undergone medical treatment in the past 6-12 months. Correlation and regression analyses were used to examine relationships between communication elements and psychological outcomes.

Results:The findings revealed significant positive correlations between communication clarity (r = 0.63, p < 0.01), empathy (r = 0.70, p < 0.01), and trust (r = 0.52, p < 0.01) with psychological recovery outcomes. Regression analysis showed that empathy strongly predicted stress reduction (β = -0.45, p < 0.01), while communication clarity enhanced recovery confidence (β = 0.63, p < 0.01). Additionally, patients receiving follow-up communication reported higher confidence in recovery (mean = 4.2 vs. 3.5 for those without follow-up).

Findings:Thematic analysis identified four key themes: clarity, empathy, trust, and follow-up communication, emphasizing their role in reducing stress, enhancing trust, and promoting psychological well-being. Suggestions for improvement included simplifying language and increasing follow-up interactions. The study underscores the critical role of effective communication in psychological recovery and highlights actionable strategies for enhancing practitioner-patient interactions to optimize recovery outcomes.