Educational Resources on Communication Skills

The book by Douglas Drossman, MD and Johannah Ruddy, MEd describes the science, diagnosis and treatment of Disorders of the Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI, formerly Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders or FGID). It also explores the importance of effective communication skills and teaches methods to improve the patient-doctor relationship.  This book is for patients and doctors.

Article on Improving Patient-Provider Relationships
to Improve Health Care

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2020;18:1417–1426

This article addresses the challenges imposed by our health care system where doctors are pressured to see patients in less time and patient care suffers. Drs. Drossman and Ms. Ruddy offer solutions to improve the patient – provider relationship through the development of communication skills.

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Article on Communication Skills in
Disorders of Gut-brain Interaction.

This article on communication skills was written by Douglas A. Drossman, MD and Johannah Ruddy, M.Ed.

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Article on Effective Communication Skills.

The following article was a keynote presentation on communication skills written by Douglas A. Drossman MD, recipient of the David Sun Award by the American College of Gastroenterology.

The Patient’s experience and the importance of good communication.

The following offers insightful information about our Executive Director of the Rome Foundation, Mrs Johannah Ruddy’s, transition from illness to health.  It includes her personal journey as published in Gastroenterology in December 2018 along with a video of her experience.  Also included is a perspective on her transition by Douglas A. Drossman, MD.

A Patient’s Experience of Illness and Healing

The following offers insightful information about a patient’s experience of her illness. It includes a personal journey as published in Gastroenterology in February 2017 along with a video of her experience. Also included is a perspective on her transition by Douglas A. Drossman, MD.

Video on the importance of good communication in the care of patients with Functional GI Disorders.

This video explains the reasons why patients with IBS and other functional GI disorders may be stigmatized by their caretakers and then effective communication techniques are provided to help physician and patient satisfaction in the care.