Patient-Provider Communication During Orthodontic Consultations

Abstract

Informed consent, future patient compliance, and patient satisfaction greatly depend on successful patient-provider communication (PPC). Existing research, although limited, suggests that PPC in orthodontics, and dentistry in general, needs to be improved. Research has traditionally emphasized recall of information as an outcome measure, yet this may not reflect the depth and complexity of PPC, including the individual experiences of participants. This research aimed to identify and better understand factors which may be related to PPC in orthodontic consultations. To achieve this objective, two original studies were undertaken. Firstly, a scoping review was conducted to map the depth and breadth of available literature regarding PPC during consultations for elective dental procedures. Secondly, a qualitative study was undertaken to better understand parents’ perspectives of PPC during orthodontic consultations in a university-based orthodontics graduate program. Both studies were informed by well-established methodologies. Thirty-seven articles were included in the scoping review. Nineteen factors related to PPC during elective dental consultations were identified, including patient-related, provider-related, and information delivery factors. Qualitative description guided the qualitative study, as this methodology is suited to providing a rich, straightforward account of individuals’ perspectives. Adult participants were selected with purposeful sampling, having recently undergone an orthodontic consultation with their child at the University of Alberta Orthodontics Graduate Clinic in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Data were collected via semi-structured, individual telephone interviews and analyzed using Inductive, manifest thematic analysis. Identified themes suggested that PPC should be inclusive, truthful, understandable, and holistic. Our findings are expected to inform interventions aiming to improve PPC during orthodontic consultations.