Exploratory Study of The Perception and Awareness of The Non-Verbal Personal Characteristics of King Saud Medical City Physicians

Abstract

Abstract:

Background: Non-verbal communication (NVC) conveys social cues, influencing trust, satisfaction, and clinical out-comes in patient-physician interactions. It includes elements like eye contact, gestures, and tone. Despite its complexity, NVC plays a critical role in healthcare, necessitating integration into medical education to enhance communication skills and foster effective doctor-patient relationships.

Objective: This study evaluates KSMC physicians' non-verbal behavior perception, personal and specialty factors influencing it, and its impact on patient outcomes.

Methods: It is a cross-sectional study that included 201 physicians from King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, using a structured questionnaire to assess non-verbal communication skills. Data was analyzed via IBM SPSS 29.0.

Results: This study assessed 201 physicians at King Saud Medical City, Riyadh. Participants were predominantly male (n=113, 56.2%) and Saudi (n=145, 72.1%), with most aged 20–30 years old (n=75, 37.3%). Nearly half of physicians were residents (n=89, 44.3%), and the majority had postgraduate education (n=156, 77.6%). Training in communication skills was reported by 133 (66.2%) during undergraduate years and by 100 (49.8%) during postgraduate years. Higher awareness scores were observed among female gender (mean=35.0, p=0.024), non-Saudi (mean=35.3, p=0.035), consultants (mean=35.5, p=0.024), and those trained during undergraduate years (mean=34.8, p=0.021). Listening scores varied significantly by specialty (p=0.032) with nephrologists scoring highest (mean=24.7). Emotional interaction skills were higher among female doctors (mean=20.1, p=0.004). Overall, listening had the highest category score (22.0 ± 2.55, 88%) while emotional interaction scored lowest (19.5 ± 2.74, 78%).

Conclusions: This study highlights significant gender, nationality, training, and specialty-based differences in non-verbal communication skills among physicians. Listening skills were the most used, while emotional interaction skills needed improvement, emphasizing the importance of tailored training to enhance communication and patient care outcomes.