Which Communication Guide for Medical Visits is the Most Appropriate for Teaching Communication Skills in Primary Health Care in Brazil?

ABSTRACT Introduction the use of communication skills is associated with positive outcomes in medical visits and health care, such as better adherence to treatments, satisfaction of doctors and patients and the relationship between them. This is even more significant in Primary Health Care, which is a space of comprehensive health care. An effective communication happens whenever all participants interact to exchange information and, in the end, everyone has the same understanding about the problem, everyone agrees about the actions to be taken and everyone feels they are being understood in their needs. In order for this kind of communication to happen, these skills must be taught appropriately e continually, during the whole medical training. Up until now, there is no Brazilian instrument that fulfills this purpose. In Brazil, international guides are being used to achieve that. However, amongst the most internationally used guides and those most cited in specific literature, none is completely suitable to Brazil’s reality. Objective To compare four frequently used communications skills instruments, under the perspective of Brazilian Primary Care characteristics. Methodology The guides were described, qualitatively analyzed and compared according to the following categories: guide structure, guide creation, important steps of the visit and focus on the doctor. Analysis: The instruments differ in easiness of use, focus in Primary Care teaching, discussion of important steps of the visit and focus on the doctor. They all discuss the construction of shared plans and none has a validated translation to Brazilian Portuguese. Conclusion “A Consulta em 7 Passos” has the most suitable profile for Brazil’s Primary Care, among the studied guides. However, the creation of a Brazilian guide is recommended to help structure, homogenize and facilitate the teaching of communication skills in Brazil’s medical schools.