Macy Initiative in Health Communication

An Overview of the Three Domains

This domain includes a variety of forms of communicating with patients, including face-to-face medical interviews, family interviews, interviews using a medical interpreter, and communications by telephone and e-mail. Specific content areas highlighted include: giving bad news, informed consent, advance directives, limitation of treatment, organ and tissue donation, taking a sexual history, substance abuse, genetic counseling, abusive relationships, and managed care issues.