A qualitative study of caregivers’ expectations and communication desires during medical consultation for sick children in Uganda

Abstract 

Objective

Little data exist on patients’ expectations and communication desires during medical consultation in Non-Western settings. We conducted a qualitative study to compare expectations and communication desires of sick children's caregivers at Mulago Hospital, Uganda, to those of patients in Western countries.

Methods

Three Focus Group Interviews and three Key Informant Interviews were conducted with 24 caregivers of sick children in Mulago Hospital Kampala, Uganda. An interview guide adapted from the Calgary-Cambridge Guide was used to conduct focus group and Key Informant Interviews. Two investigators worked independently to review transcripts and analyse them for content and emerging themes.

Results

Caregivers of sick children in Mulago Hospital expect attending doctors to build a relationship with them, by demonstrating the verbal and nonverbal skills outlined in the CCG including maintaining eye contact, using appropriate gestures and voice during communication, and being nonjudgmental.

Conclusion

The communication needs and expectations of caregivers of sick children in Mulago Hospital are similar to those of patients and caregivers in Western countries.

Practice implications

The CCG can be used as a training guide to enhance the communication skills of current and future doctors in Mulago Hospital.

Keywords: Caregivers, Communication skills, Doctor–patient communication, Expectations, Non-Western countries