Doctor-patient communication as prevention of medical malpractice litigation

Introduction: By medical malpractice we mean the flow of complaints that affects hospitals and that, more and more often, concerns shortcomings in the care relationship and defects compromise the therapeutic alliance. Methodology: Review of the literature concerning doctor-patient communication and the correlation between complaints and the quality of patient communication. Results: international experiences have provided numerous concrete elements to enhance a plan for improving doctor-patient communication. Discussion: the enhancement of the communication and relational performance of health professionals should be pursued as an index of quality, ethics and legitimacy of care. An internal training programme on relational skills, directly in the healthcare teams, is proposed. Conclusions: in addition to verbal communication between doctor and patient, written forms also play a crucial role, both as a pact of care and in the courts.