Assertiveness in physicians' interpersonal professional encounters: A scoping review.

Despite the growing interest in physicians' assertiveness, a clearer definition and in-depth exploration of assertiveness are needed alongside development of valid measures of assertiveness appropriate to physicians. Based on the review, we offer a relational definition of assertiveness as the capacity to communicate one's views, concerns, rights and needs while respecting others and preserving therapeutic, collegial and educational professional alliances. This definition may serve to expand research in the field while offering a professional alternative to problematic communication styles-passive and self-denying or paternalistic and aggressive -that obfuscate and thus undermine physician-patient relationships.