Dying For A Chat: The Communication Breakdown Between Doctors and Patients

by Ranjana Srivastava

Medical oncologist Ranjana Srivastava contends that the best medicine begins with a good chat, to guide the decision-making of both doctors and patients. Increasingly, people are unable to properly comprehend the complex treatment choices on offer, or are self-diagnosing and demanding unnecessary or risky procedures. Doctors, in turn, feel unable to deny the requests of patients and their families. Narrow specialization also means no one is discussing the overall picture of a patient's health. Srivastava warns that people are suffering—even dying—as a result, and the medical profession should be taking responsibility.In a frank and clear-eyed assessment of an unacknowledged crisis, she makes an impassioned case for healthcare training to incorporate effective communication skills.

Genres: Nonfiction, Medicine, Medical

83 pages, Paperback

First published November 26, 2012

Reviews

[Reet Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard of Dr Ranjana Srivastava - the kind of work that she does with refugees and others is inspiring - but I had only read a few of her blogs. Then I came across this book and I was keen to find out what it was that set her apart from other medical writers.

The book - eloquently titled as it is - starts by introducing the reader to an old woman who doesn't want to die in a hospital setting.

As her story unfolds in far off Australia, I am reminded of similar stories that play out where I work - a tertiary care hospital in India. The events that overtake the protagonist might have been enacted in an ICU in Delhi. It did not surprise me to learn that the stories are the same across the globe - patients want to be heard, and doctors must give them ample opportunities - we have to listen.

The author writes exceedingly well - her style is candid and warm and optimistic. She says it as it is - it is straight from the heart with no sugar-coating.

Pick up this book if you want to understand the problems that beset doctor-patient communication - you'll get a fabulous, holistic view told in engaging prose.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this a few years ago when I was in the middle of my nursing degree and thought it would make for an interesting read. Although I didn't read it until now, I was right that it was fascinating.

Communication is such a key part of the care cycle and is of particular importance in end of life care. This short book analyses what happens when there is a breakdown in that communication and how the problem can be remedied. There are frequent references to a 'Mrs Johnson' case study, which is quite a heartbreaking story about a nursing home resident admitted to hospital who deteriorates after a failure in communication between Doctors.

I found this book really interesting. Having worked in a nursing home for years, I feel like the importance of good communication has already been hammered home for me. This book focuses on the issue for doctors both in hospitals and clinics which was an new interesting perspective. I really enjoyed reading this, the points made were clear and concise.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seems to be the medical topic of the moment. Looking forward to Atul Gawande's book on the same theme, which is medical over-servicing, especially at the end of life.
A joke (not from the book) sums it all up.
Why do they have screws in coffin lids? So the oncologist can't give just one last dose of chemotherapy.

[Kathryn Yu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great insight to the skills and qualities that make a "good" doctor, which are not explicitly taught in medical school. However, may not be as relevant/interesting for people who are not in this field.

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Navigating emotional and difficult conversations doesn't come naturally, and doctors urgently need to be shown how."
With Australia's ageing population, a plethora of doctors choosing to specialise in niche areas, and a decrease in General Practitioners - Dr Ranjana Srivastava makes a persuasive and well supported appeal for the need to teach doctors how to communicate with their patients.
[A quick read]

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another important read on a critical topic. Super short and powerful storytelling with lessons suggested particularly for doctors and health care professionals.

[Lin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and sweet but mostly surface. More like an essay.

[M. V. · Rating 3 out of 5]

a brief and thought-provoking introductory essay regarding the current concerns of communication in healthcare. it's a conversation starter, but not an elaborate piece of academia - that is the point of its essay form.

rated low because i've read books within the same scope (e.g. atul gawande) that i felt promoted the concerns more extensively. that being said, i will look into "tell me the truth"!

[Andrew Gottke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short favourite that I have come back to often. An inspirational read that should be a must read for any junior doctor. A reminder of the pitfalls of fragmented care.

[Cate Swannell · Rating 5 out of 5]

this topic weighs on my mind a lot. Dr Srivastava nails the issues perfectly and offers up the right solution. as a medical journalist i talk to many doctors and without question the biggest problems for end of life care are fragmentation of treatment and terrible communication about how to make death more dignified and compliant with what the patient wants.

[Mary Whisner · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extended essay urging better communication between doctors and patients, focusing on the end of life,much illustrated with the story of a 90-year-old woman who was sent to the hospital from her nursing home and, a few weeks and many specialists later, died in the ICU.

[Brooke Sachs · Rating 3 out of 5]

An extended essay on the value of patient-doctor communication.

[Fiona Hocking · Rating 3 out of 5]

talks about the importance in teaching our health professionals to communicate well. also the dangers involved in over testing

[Justin Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.sgu.edu/blog/medical/how-...