It is our job to see to it that our patients understand what we have taught them by assessing and utilizing their abilities. Communication must be a two way process to be effective. Most frequently mentioned was time constraints. Most communication issues in health care are due to the caregiver's reluctance to spend the extra time. The role of power in healthcare communications is another important theme in respondent's comments.
Some respondents observe that professionals withhold knowledge to maintain power.
Others say patients too easily give up their power to professionals. However, knowledge gives all the power to make more beneficial and appropriate decisions. In communication, the party with greater power in a situation has the responsibility to communicate so the party with less power understands. Knowledge in health care is power and in most healthcare situations, the professionals have the power. It is their responsibility to get points or information across to the patients any way they can.