Patna: Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Choudhary on Sunday said empathy expressed through effective communication strengthens public confidence in healthcare and improves the quality of patient care.Addressing a national academic programme on communication in healthcare at the AIIMS-Patna, Patna, Vijay said effective communication forms the strongest foundation of trust between a patient and a doctor. He said communication skills have become essential in every profession, particularly in medical science, where meaningful interaction between doctors and patients helps sustain public trust in the healthcare system.Inaugurating the programme, the deputy CM said the essence of the medical profession lay in ensuring that patients felt reassured by both a doctor’s words and treatment before returning to good health. Referring to Kabir’s famous couplet, he said, “Aisi vani boliye man ka aapa khoye, auran ko sheetal kare, aaphun sheetal hoye.”The academic programme was organised by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.Held under the theme, “From empathy to patient safety: Strengthening professional communication in clinical practice,” the national programme brought together more than 700 participants, including eminent medical educators, clinicians, postgraduate trainees and healthcare professionals from NBEMS-accredited institutions across the country to reaffirm the indispensable role of communication in modern medical practice.The daylong programme highlighted that alongside scientific knowledge and clinical excellence, effective communication remains one of the strongest pillars of quality healthcare. Speakers emphasised that good communication fosters trust, enhances patient safety, improves treatment outcomes and strengthens the doctor-patient relationship.Dr Abhijat Sheth, chairperson of the National Medical Commission (NMC), attended the programme as the guest of honour.
