Robinson-Heritage2006

From emcawiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Robinson-Heritage2006
BibType ARTICLE
Key Robinson-Heritage2006
Author(s) Jeffrey D. Robinson, John Heritage
Title Physicians’ opening questions and patients’ satisfaction
Editor(s)
Tag(s) EMCA, Medical consultations, Questions
Publisher
Year 2006
Language
City
Month
Journal Patient Education and Counseling
Volume 60
Number 3
Pages 279–285
URL Link
DOI 10.1016/j.pec.2005.11.009
ISBN
Organization
Institution
School
Type
Edition
Series
Howpublished
Book title
Chapter

Download BibTex

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between the format of physicians’ opening questions that solicit patients’ presenting concerns and patients’ post-visit evaluations of (i.e., satisfaction with) the affective-relational dimension of physicians’ communication.

Methods: Videotape and questionnaire data were collected from visits between 28 primary-care physicians and 142 adult patients with acute problems. Factor analysis resulted in three dependent variables derived from the 9-item Socioemotional Behavior subscale of the Medical Interview Satisfaction Scale.

Results: Question format was significantly, positively associated with patients’ evaluations of physicians’ listening (p = .028) and positive affective-relational communication (p = .046).

Conclusion: Patients desire opportunities to present concerns in their own time and terms regardless of how extensively they act on this opportunity.

Practice implications: Visits should be opened with general inquiries (e.g., What can I do for you today?) versus closed-ended requests for confirmation (e.g., Sore throat, huh?).

Notes