Introduction

Effective communication is a fundamental component of medical practice, directly impacting patient outcomes, healthcare costs, and physician satisfaction. Despite its recognized importance, formal communication training in orthopaedic surgery remains insufficient. Patient and physician demographics and unconscious biases have been shown to influence communication quality in healthcare, potentially contributing to healthcare disparities. This study aims to evaluate communication skills among orthopaedic residents and investigate the factors influencing patient perceptions of communication quality.

Methods

Conducted at an orthopedic clinic within a large academic hospital, this IRB-approved study utilized patient evaluation surveys to assess resident communication skills by using the modified Communication Assessment Tool (CAT), and study-specific questionnaires. Patient demographics, including age, gender, race, and insurance status, were collected. Data were analyzed to evaluate communication effectiveness across these variables. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and Mann-Whitney tests, were performed using IBM SPSS Version 27.

Results

A total of 78 patient surveys assessing 9 residents were collected over a 6-month period. Female patients rated male residents significantly higher in communication effectiveness compared to male patients (p=0.0213), indicating a gender-based difference in patient perceptions. Older patients also rated male residents more favorably than younger patients (p=0.0246), suggesting age-related differences in communication expectations. Although racial variations in communication ratings were observed, they did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that patient demographics, particularly gender and age, significantly influence perceptions of resident communication. Implicit biases and generational differences may contribute to these discrepancies. Given the critical role of effective communication in patient care, especially in surgical settings, implementing structured communication training in residency programs, with direct patient feedback, is crucial. Such interventions may enhance communication skills, foster patient engagement, and mitigate healthcare disparities.