VR-CoDES and patient-centeredness. The intersection points between a measure and a concept.

OBJECTIVE: The Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional sequences (VR-CoDES) system has been applied in a wide range of studies, in some of these, because of its attention on healthcare provider's ability to respond to patient emotions, it has been used as a proxy of patient-centeredness. The paper aims to discuss how the VR-CoDES can contribute to the broader concept of patient-centeredness and its limitations.

METHODS: VR-CoDES and patient-centeredness concept are briefly described, trying to detect commonalities and distinctions. The VR-CoDES dimensions of Explicit/non explicit responding and Providing or Reducing Space are analysed in relation to relevant aspects of patient-centred communication.

RESULTS: Emotional aspects are encompassed within patient-centeredness model, but they represent only one of the numerous dimensions that contribute to define patient-centeredness as well as Explicit/non explicit responding and Providing or Reducing Space serve different functions during communication.

CONCLUSION: The VR-CoDES can contribute to operationalize the description of emotional aspects emerging in a consultation, by inducing coders to adopt a factual attitude in assessing how health providers react to patient's expression of emotions.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: To better define empirically which measure affective aspects and dimensions of health provider responses are relevant and may contribute to patient-centeredness in different clinical settings.