This paper synthesizes much of the literature concerning physician/patient communication as it relates to patient compliance. Using the theoretical perspective that deals with belief, attitude, intention, and behavior (a perspective generated by Martin Fishbein and Icek Ajzen), a new theoretical orientation for predicting patient compliance is proposed. This orientation examines physician/patient communication behavior during diagnosis, prognosis, and prescription as that behavior affects the patient's compliance, recall, understanding, satisfaction, and anxiety levels. Several predictions related to patient compliance and a number of possible research questions are offered. (RL)