Patients’ Commitment to Their Primary Physician and Why It Matters
Ann Fam Med Berry et al.
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The Article in Brief
Patients' Commitment to Their Primary Physician and Why it Matters
Leonard L. Berry, PhD
, and colleagues
Background The patient-doctor relationship is an important part of high-quality health care. This study explores patients' commitment to and trust in the relationship with their doctor. The study also looks at whether commitment and trust are related to patients' attitudes toward following their doctors? medical suggestions and healthy eating.
What This Study Found An analysis of 869 patient questionnaires found that patients' trust in and commitment to their family physician strengthen the patient-doctor relationship. Trust and commitment are also associated with following the doctor's suggestions and healthy eating.
Implications
- The patient-doctor relationship is based not only on doctors’ medical competence but also on their interpersonal communication skills.
- One way patients might invest in the relationship with their doctor is through positive, healthy behavior.
- To invest in stronger patient relationships while managing the pressures of time, doctors need to develop time-effective, financially-efficient approaches for educating patients.
