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Doctor-patient communication is a type of institutional communication which distinct linguistic features can significantly affect patient satisfaction and treatment outcome. A medical encounter has a clearly defined structure that has been shifting from clinician-centred to patient-centred. Therefore, it is of utter importance for prospective doctors and dentists to be aware of the role of language when communicating with their patients. Given the fact that working in a medical/dental practice has become increasingly international, the paper focuses on the role of the English language. New communicative models and environments such as Computer-Mediated Medical Communication (CMMC) and Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) are also presented.

Health care has witnessed considerable progresses toward quality improvement over the past two decades. More precisely, there have been global efforts aimed to improve this aspect of health care along with experts and decision-makers reaching the consensus that quality is one of the most significant dimensions and features of health system. Quality health care implies highly efficient resource use in order to meet patient's needs in terms of prevention and treatment. Quality health care is provided in a safe way while meeting patients' expectations and avoiding unnecessary losses. The mission of continuous improvement in quality of care is to achieve safe and reliable health care through mutual efforts of all the key supporters of health system to protect patients' interests. A systematic approach to measuring the process of care through quality indicators (QIs) poses the greatest challenge to continuous quality improvement in health care. Quality indicators are quantitative indicators used for monitoring and evaluating quality of patient care and treatment, continuous professional development (CPD), maintaining waiting lists, patients and staff satisfaction, and patient safety.