A modified framework for understanding provider–patient communication in healthcare

Effective communication between healthcare providers and patients is vital for delivering safe, high-quality, and culturally sensitive care. Despite the availability of various communication models, there remains a lack of an integrated framework that supports practice across diverse clinical settings. This study develops a modified framework by synthesizing Peplau’s Interpersonal Relations Theory, the Patient-Centered Care (PCC) framework, and Cultural Competence models. Using a theoretical synthesis approach, each theory was critically reviewed for its key concepts, communication principles, and clinical relevance, and thematic mapping was applied to identify overlaps in communication stages, relational dynamics, cultural awareness, and patient autonomy. These findings were combined into a unified framework that aligns theoretical rigor with practical application, providing healthcare professionals with guidance to strengthen therapeutic relationships, address cultural diversity, and improve communication outcomes, particularly in complex or high-stakes care situations. The proposed model offers a structured approach to enhance patient engagement, satisfaction, and safety in contemporary healthcare systems.