Endocrine Abstracts

Background: In India, physicians recognise the need for communication skills training (CST) so as to improve patients’ physical and mental wellbeing. Yet, there is a lack of culturally informed and evidence-based training programs in the current medical curriculum. In our pilot study, we explored the cultural suitability of the Relationship: Establishment, Development and Engagement (REDE) model for CST for Indian physicians. The REDE model proposes three ways (i.e., establishing, developing and engaging) for physicians to foster a meaningful interaction and, subsequently, relationship with patients. Our pilot study supported the appropriateness of the REDE model of communication for Indian physicians. Therefore, using a larger sample representing mainly South Indians, the current study aimed at understanding patients’ experience and expectations using the framework of the REDE model.

Aim: (1) To document the experiences and expectations of communication from one’s treating physician among South Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and (2) to understand the cultural fit of the REDE model to train Indian physicians in communication skills.

Methods: Using convenient sampling, 61 patients (mean age = 52.19 years) with T2DM were recruited for the study from 5 cities in South India (Hyderabad = 12, Chennai = 11, Bengaluru = 09, Trivandrum = 18, Mumbai = 11). Eight recorded focus group discussions were carried out virtually, exploring patients’ thoughts, feelings, needs and efforts towards establishing a communicative relationship with their physician. The data were analysed using conventional content analysis.

Results: Three themes were constructed: (1) “A friendly nature in conversations helps in treatment’: Essential skills in establishing a relationship with a patient, (2) “Respond well and listen more’: The bridge to developing a long-lasting meaningful relationship, and (3) a desire for a conversation balanced with technical details and a thoughtful, sensitive and empathic approach.

Discussion & Conclusion: This study underscores the need to introduce a CST program to engender physicians’ ability to build strong, meaningful, and enduring relationships with their patients. In particular, the findings suggested a shift in Indian patients’ preference for a collaborative and empathic relationship with their physician than the previously accepted authoritative/paternalistic model of care. Further, the study findings support the cultural fit of all the three components of the REDE model to develop a CST for Indian physicians treating patients with T2DM. These findings will aid in developing a REDE-model based CST program for Indian physicians’ treating patients with T2DM.