Physicians' nonverbal rapport building and patients' talk about the subjective component of illness

Physicians' nonverbal communication has sometimes been found to be associated with patients' affective satisfaction. Too little attention has been given, however, to the impact of these caregiver behaviors on patients' self-disclosure. This paper examines the relationship between physicians' nonverbal rapport building and patients' disclosure of information related to the subjective component of illness. Twelve third-year residents at a large teaching hospital were videotaped during interactions with patients (N = 34). These physicians' nonverbal communication behaviors were coded in the introduction and diagnosis segments of the interactions. Patients' verbal communication behaviors related to disclosure of information about the subjective component of their illnesses were coded across the same segments. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between physicians' use of some types of nonverbal behaviors and patients' subjective disclosure, as well as physicians' avoidance of negative facial behaviors and patients' disclosure about life beyond symptoms and structural barriers to wellness. Implications for understanding the role of physicians' nonverbal communication on health care outcomes are considered.

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