Cultural traits of patient-centeredness : a comparative study between American and Italian clinical consultations

An action research methodology was employed. Participants were drawn, on a voluntary basis, from two interdisciplinary groups of experts in communication at: Children s Hospital, Boston, affiliated with Harvard Medical School, USA and San Paolo Hospital, affiliated with Milan University, Italy. The study included four phases. In the action phase, both groups independently wrote a patient-centered dialogue between a doctor and a patient in response to the same case scenario. The dialogues were then translated and exchanged by e-mail. In the intra-group reflection phase, the groups were asked to comment on each other s dialogue following a semistructured questionnaire. In the inter-group reflection phase, the two groups shared their respective comments regarding the dialogues and the underlying models of patient-centeredness by international conference call. Through discussion, a consensus on similarities and differences on patient-centered concepts and their applications was reached. Written summary of the points generated during the discussion, with extracts of dialogues as examples, were reviewed via e-mail by the two groups and the results were summarized for publication. In the evaluation phase, participants in the American and Italian groups were given a questionnaire to assess which aspects of the cross-cultural learning process had been most valuable for their subsequent clinical work. Discussion/implications for field The results will allow for a deeper understanding of the role of culture in shaping patient-centered concepts and their applicability. Culture-specific traits of patient centeredness as well as its common dimensions across western cultures might be detected. Moreover, the research project will offer the two groups an opportunity to reflect on one of the core concepts that informs their practice and teaching.