Abstract
While exploring the doctor-patient communication from a narrative perspective among patients suffering from cardiovascular conditions within the social context, as well as how this interpersonal conversation relates to the modern concepts of patient-centered care (PCC) or Shared Decision Making (SDM), we expose the fact that there is a noticeable shift to the paternal paradigm in the Romanian medical system, by considering the researched sample group. For this study, based on an extensive research, we considered relevant to approach the topic from the patient’s viewpoint, given that in the case of cardiovascular diseases, how the patient understands to manage his/her condition and how he/she is aware of and corrects the aggravating factors of their lifestyle results from good communication with the doctor and the medical personnel. Considering the data on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Romania’s and Europe’s mortality statistics (cardiovascular conditions rank first as death causes) and the fact that one of the most critical components in the CVD management is the patient’s compliance with the treatment and with the implementation of the recommended lifestyle changes, the research of the doctor-patient roles and their communication in the therapeutic process is of significant educational mportance.