Abstract:

Objective

To investigate the status of humanistic literacy and doctor-patient communication in the Ultrasound Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital， and explore the potential of humanistic literacy education to enhance doctor-patient communication competence.

Methods

In June 2023， an online questionnaire survey was conducted to obtain the scores of humanistic literacy and the self-evaluation scores of doctor-patient communication confidence and communication ability among the medical staff in the Ultrasound Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital.The t-test and analysis of variance were used to calculate intergroup differences in humanistic literacy scores and in self-evaluation scores of doctor-patient communication confidence and communication ability， to investigate the current status of humanistic literacy and doctor-patient communication among the medical staff.

Results

A total of 92 valid questionnaires were obtained. About 55.4% of medical staff had positive experiences in doctor-patient communication， and 12.0% had experienced negative events. Doctors scored higher on humanistic literacy than medical assistants （10.0±1.2 vs 8.5±1.8， t=4.459， P=0.001）. Medical personnel with a doctoral degree scored higher in humanistic literacy than those with a master， undergraduate，or associate degree or below （10.3±1.1 vs 9.8±1.2 vs 9.0±1.7 vs 8.5±1.7， F=6.117， P=0.001）. The scores of humanistic literacy were higher in medical personnel with senior professional titles than in those with intermediate and junior titles （11.0±1.0 vs 10.2±1.1 vs 9.8±1.2， F=4.904， P=0.010）. Medical personnel who had not experienced negative events in doctor-patient communication had higher humanistic literacy scores than those who had experienced （9.8±1.3 vs 9.2±1.3， t=-2.173， P=0.032）. The self-evaluation scores of doctor-patient communication confidence and communication ability of medical personnel with a doctoral degree were higher than those with a master， undergraduate， or associate degree or below （8.0±1.1 vs 7.2±1.2 vs 7.1±1.2 vs 7.1±1.2， F=3.796， P=0.013）. The self-evaluation scores of doctor-patient communication confidence and communication ability were higher in medical personnel with senior professional titles than in those with intermediate and junior professional titles （8.4±1.2 vs 7.4±1.0 vs 7.3±1.2， F=3.607， P=0.031）.The self-evaluation scores of doctor-patient communication confidence and communication ability were positively correlated with the scores of humanistic literacy （r=0.441， P＜0.001）， educational background（r=0.300， P=0.004）， and professional title （r=0.266， P=0.044）.

Conclusion

Doctor-patient communication education is very important for medical personnel in ultrasound department. Improving medical humanistic literacy and inheriting the spirit of harmony may help improve the doctor-patient communication competence among medical personnel.

Key words: Ultrasound, Doctor-patient communication, Humanistic literacy education