Abstract:
Effective communication is at the heart of quality patient care, especially in cardiology, where complex medical decisions can significantly impact patient outcomes. This speech addresses the critical role of communication between cardiologists and patients in enhancing cardiac care. It explores how empathetic dialogue and clear information exchange empower patients to better understand their conditions, adhere to treatment plans, and participate in shared decision-making. By bridging the gap between medical expertise and patient experiences, cardiologists can not only improve clinical outcomes but also foster trust, reduce anxiety, and ultimately transform the journey toward heart health. The discussion will highlight practical strategies, innovative tools, and evidence-based approaches to strengthen communication in cardiology for more patient-centred care.
Biography:
Iris-Panagiota Efthymiou FHEA is a Senior Lecturer and Behavioural Economist holding academic positions at Regent College London (in partnership with the University of University of Greater Manchester), FuturLearn (Brunel University London, the University of Roehampton), and the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA), London. She holds a PhD in Behavioural Health Economics (Magna cum laude), an MSc in Health Economics and Management (First Class), and a BSc in Business, Politics and Law from the National Kapodistrian University of Athens. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Chief Editor of the Journal of Politics and Ethics in New Technologies and AI, she has authored 22 books and over 70 peer-reviewed publications with Springer, IGI Global, Nova Science, and Bentham Books. Her AI publications include AI, Ethics and the Future of Work, Human Wellbeing in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, co-edited volumes on Legal and Regulatory Impacts on AI Development and Ethical, Regulatory, and Intellectual Property Impacts on AI Development (2026), and chapters on AI governance, behavioural law, national security, and human-machine interaction.
She has delivered over 400 keynotes across 30 countries, including at the United Nations, and advises at the highest levels of policy and governance. She is a Member of the UK's All-Party Parliamentary Group on Artificial Intelligence and sits on the Advisory Council of the Harvard Business Review. She is a member of AISB (The Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour) and of the Global Association of Applied Behavioural Scientists (GAABS) and a partisan expert for CLAIRE AI in France. In 2020, she was awarded the title Exceptional Woman of Excellence by the Women Economic Forum.
