Why does a doctor need good communication skills?

One of the first things I did when I started my job at the Medical College was to check out the library's selection of books on communication. There were of course a selection of books on topics such health communication case studies and media campaigns as an important element of public health. But many of the communication books targeted at doctors make the argument that effective communication lowers the risk of malpractice lawsuits. It's true of course. People generally don't sue doctors they trust and people generally trust doctors who are effective and empathic communicators. But is that the reason we want and need doctors to be better communicators? Don't we want doctors to be better communicators so they will provide better care?

I imagine I am not the only communication scholar who feels conflicted about this. We know that many physicians are kind empathic people who want to do what is best for patients. And physicians want their patients to understand what they need to know to improve their own health. But let's face it, in this era of managed care and our litigious society, the best way to get a physician's attention is to say "Hey, do this, be a better communicator and you'll have less of a chance of getting sued!" Besides, these books do offer some practical tips, if a bit simplistic. Anything that gets physicians to think twice about their communication skills should be welcomed.