This unique book draws upon a collection of essays and personal reflections by Dr Peter Tate, covering at least half a century of his experience of trying to understand, define and improve communication between doctors and patients. Adopting a light, conversational and often humorous tone, the book covers a broad range of situations encountered during the lead author’s career as a general practitioner, his seminal research into understanding doctor-patient communication, and his subsequent...

Of previous editions:'... breaks new ground in its readability … It is concise, wise, and firmly pragmatic'. British Medical Journal'Since it was first published in 1994, Peter Tate’s The Doctor’s Communication Handbook has been essential reading to improve GP registrars’ communication skills'. Practical Diabetes InternationalThis bestselling title has established itself as the ultimate guide to patient communication for a...

Gossiping and its reputation effects are viewed as the most powerful mechanism to sustain cooperation without the intervention of formal authorities. Being virtually costless, gossiping is highly effective in monitoring and sanctioning norm violators. Rational individuals cooperate in order to avoid negative reputations. But this narrative is incomplete and often leads to wrong predictions. Goal Framing Theory, a cognitive-behavioral approach anchored in evolutionary research, provides a b...