Communication between healthcare providers and communicatively-vulnerable patients with associated health outcomes: A scoping review of knowledge syntheses

Abstract

Objective: Summarize literature on provider-patient communication linked to health outcomes in communicatively-vulnerable patient populations.

Methods: Scoping review of reviews: systematically searched six databases.

Inclusion criteria: systematic searches and syntheses of literature; one or more providers and communicatively-vulnerable patients; synchronous in-person communication; intermediate or health outcome linked to communication.

Results: The search yielded 14,615 citations; 47 reviews - with wide range of providers, communication vulnerabilities, communication practices, and health outcomes - met inclusion criteria. Methodology included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed approaches. Quality ranged from very low to high. Six categories of communication practices linked to health outcomes were identified: 1) motivation-based; 2) accommodation of language, culture, gender, sexual identity, and other concordance with the patient; 3) cultural adaptations of interventions; 4) use of interpreters; 5) other provider-patient communication practices; 6) patient communication practices.

Conclusion: Communication practices were studied in a wide range of providers, with common themes regarding best practices. A unique finding is the role of the patient's communication practices. The specificity of communication practices studied is heterogeneous, with many reviews providing insufficient details.

Practice implications: Motivation-based practices and culturally- and linguistically-appropriate care have impacts on patient outcomes across a range of settings with different professions and communicatively-vulnerable groups.

Keywords: Communicatively-vulnerable; Health outcomes; Provider-patient communication; Scoping review.