Patients and health-care providers bring a number of expectations to the medical encounter. Relational expectations are especially salient in this context given the emphasis placed on the need for effective communication. Relational expectations vary from one patient to the next and can vary widely among health- care professionals. These expectations are based on an individual's past history of similar relationships and a perception of current conditions. The purpose of this work is to advance a model of relational expectations based on the cognitive and affective processes that function before and during the communication interaction. A conceptual analysis will synthesize previous work, culminating in the construction of a theoretical model of relational expectations. Further, implications of relational expectations will be noted as they affect the relationship quality, communication patterns and health outcomes of both patients and providers.