Factors associated with patient reports of positive physician relational communication

L. Aubree Shay, Levent Dumenci, Laura A. Siminoff, Susan A. Flocke, Jennifer Elston Lafata

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the patient, physician, and visit-related factors associated with patient ratings of positive physician relational communication. Methods: Pre- and post-visit surveys were conducted with 485 patients attending a routine periodic health exam with one of 64 participating physicians. The audio-recorded visits were coded for elements of patient-physician communication including assertive responses, partnership building, question asking, supportive talk, and expressions of concern. Results: Patient reports of positive physician relational communication were associated with patient perceptions of how well the physician understood the patient's health care preferences and values, a patient-physician interaction outside of the exam room, and physician-prompted patient expressions of concern. Conclusion: In addition to a patient's perception of their relationship with their physician going into the visit, relatively simple acts like extending the interaction beyond the exam room and ensuring that patients feel invited to express concerns they may have during the visit may influence patient perceptions of physician relational communication. Practice implications: This study offers preliminary support for the idea that relational communication and its associated benefits may be fostered through simple physician-driven acts such as interacting with patients outside of the exam room and encouraging patients to express concerns within the visit.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)96-101
Number of pages6
JournalPatient Education and Counseling
Volume89
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Patient-physician communication
  • Relational communication

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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