Communication Skill of Healthcare Providers and its Relation to Patient Experience at the Regional Geriatric Centre of Medical College, Kolkata

Abstract Background: Effective communication is a cornerstone of patient-centered care, especially in geriatrics, where complex needs and comorbidities are common. This study assessed the association between health care providers’ communication skills and patient-reported experiences among geriatric patients. Objectives: To evaluate the communication skills of health care providers using the Health Professionals Communication Skills Scale (HP-CSS) and assess their relationship with geriatric patient experience measured by the Picker Patient Experience Questionnaire (PPE-15). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 health care providers and 100 geriatric patients in a tertiary care hospital. Providers completed the HP-CSS questionnaire, while patients completed the PPE-15. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and scatter plots to assess associations. Results: The mean HP-CSS scores indicated good overall communication skills, with higher scores in the empathy and clarity subdomains. The PPE-15 results reflected moderate patient satisfaction, with lower scores in information provision and involvement in decisions. Pearson’s correlation showed a positive association between HP-CSS and PPE-15 scores (r = 0.46, P < 0.05), suggesting that better communication skills were linked to improved patient experiences. Conclusion: Health care providers’ communication skills significantly influence geriatric patient satisfaction. Targeted interventions, such as communication training and feedback-based improvement programs, could enhance care quality and patient engagement.