Mutual Persuasion as Patient-Centered Communication

In this chapter, we present mutual persuasion as a conceptual perspective that complements patient-centered communication. In a clinician-patient relationship that accomplishes the goals of patient-centered care, such as making collaborative decisions, communication can be characterized as mutual persuasion. We first make a distinction between persuasion as individual and mutual influence. We then discuss two important outcomes of patient-centered communication, shared decision-making and relational autonomy, using a mutual persuasion perspective on patient-centered communication. Finally, we emphasize the important role mutual persuasion plays in ultimately achieving shared mind.