The Art of communicating and understanding emotions in the relationship between doctors and patients and their families

Abstract

Introduction: This article aims to analyze communication in medical practice, focusing on understanding and managing the emotions of patients and their families during experiences in the health context. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review, encompassing research published in English, Spanish and Portuguese. A search was conducted in the Lilacs, PubMed, SciELO and  CAPES periodicals databases, using the following descriptors: "Doctor-patient relationships", "Emotions in Health" and "Communication in Health". Results: Eleven articles were selected, whose contents were organized into two main categories: (1) the art of communicating with patients and their families and (2) the emotions experienced by patients, their families and health professionals. Discussion: The analysis of the studies shows that effective communication is directly linked to aspects such as empathy, communication approach strategies, clarity of language, trust, personalization of information, a welcoming environment, active listening, nonverbal communication, and the use of specific methodologies such as the SPIKES protocol and audiovisual resources, among others. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that communication in medical practice goes beyond the simple transmission of information, and is intrinsically related to empathy, active listening, and the recognition of emotions involved in medical interactions. In addition to the direct impact that effective communication has on adherence to treatment and coping with challenging situations, it also influences the relationship of trust between patients, family members, and physicians, promoting more humanized care.