Primary health care providers' communication problems experienced in service and communication - empathy skill levels relations

Aim: This study aimed to determine the communication problems living situations of primary health care providers and the relationship between communication and empathy skill levels. Method: This study is a descriptive type of research. It was carried out with primary health care professionals in the provinces of Yunusemre and Turgutlu, Manisa. No sampling method was used in the study and it was aimed to reach all employees (N=349). 86% of the research group (N=300) was reached. The data were collected by using three forms; Sociodemographic questionnaire, Communication Skills Assessment Scale, Empathic Tendency Scale. SPSS 25.0 package program was used for analysis. In the evaluation of data, single analyzes such as chi-square and student t test and logistic regression analysis were used. Findings: 74% of the participants stated that they had lifelong communication problems with their patients / patients. Considering the last month, one in three employees had patients; two of the three employees stated that they had communication problems with their relatives.93% of the problems experienced by individuals were defined as verbal communication / language problem. In the study, the most problematic education, socioeconomic level is low or the mother tongue was identified with different patients. In addition, it was determined that the patients with high level of communication skills and physicians experienced communication problems with fewer patients and their relatives. There is a moderately positive, significant relationship between empathic tendency and communication skills (r = 0.297; p = 0.000 <0.05). Results: 3/4 of primary health care workers have communication problems. The most common communication problem is the verbal communication / language problem. As communication skills and empathy tendencies increase, communication problem situations decrease. Key Words: Empathy, Empathic Tendency, Communication, Communication Problem.