Information provision and attentive listening as determinants of patient perceptions of shared decision-making around chronic illnesses.

It is important to incorporate communication training in medical education, particularly provision of information and attentive listening. These skills help the healthcare professional to gain a deeper understanding of the patient. Furthermore, provision of information and attentive listening are fundamental in helping patients not to undervalue their personal knowledge and expertise in relation to their doctors. These strategies encourage them to adopt a more active position in requesting information. Encouraging a proactive behaviour of patients and their relatives helps them to realize the need to participate and to make them feel that they are part of the decision-making process.