ABSTRACT
Communication, the activity of conveying information, is often defined as ‘to impart’ or ‘make known’, but its Latin derivation is helpful in emphasizing the ‘sharing’ of information. ‘Communis’ means ‘in common’ and although the main aim remains to elicit and impart information,1 the way that this is accomplished can have a profound effect on the relationship between the doctor and the patient, and on the patient’s approach to his or her disease and treatment. Effective communication is increasingly recognized as a core clinical skill; cancer patients and their families demand a high level of involvement in discussions concerning treatment and outcome.
