Role of Negotiation in Patient Education. What part does negotiation play in patient education? Patients constantly take control of their health by expressing their opinions and views when seeking health services. As a result, healthcare providers are aware and do not have the final opinion regarding the patient’s health; rather, they involve patients in making crucial decisions about their diagnosis and treatment plan through negotiation. Negotiation is an integral part that promotes patient education and assists providers in communicating easily with their respective patients. Negotiation encompasses five major components: convening, opening, communication, negotiation, and closing (Nager, 2020). Integrating these five components enhances patients’ participation and exchange of ideas with providers, influencing decisions to promote their well-being. During negotiations, patients gain more insights into various approaches that can promote their health and reduce incidences of other health conditions. It is imperative to note that negotiations allow the dissemination of information between healthcare providers and patients and increase intervention success rates. For instance, honest and open conversation allow both parties to understand each other’s beliefs, values, and opinions, making it easier to reach the final decision.
Accordingly, communication during negotiations enhances patients’ awareness and allows them to effectively agree or disagree on the proposed interventions or treatment. In cases of disagreement, negotiations play a crucial role in educating patients on the disadvantages of rejecting a particular treatment plan (Coad et al., 2018). For instance, physicians can educate cancer patients refusing chemotherapy due to misconceptions from society or cultural beliefs on the risks of metastasis. Besides, with negotiations, healthcare providers can gain more information about patients’ backgrounds and opinions about particular diseases and educate them on lifestyle modifications that promote their health and wellness. However, patient education is only effective if patients are willing to adhere to and comply with recommendations from healthcare providers.