The effects of physician communications skills on patient satisfaction; Recall, and adherence

doi:10.1016/0021-9681(84)90044-4

Journal of Chronic Diseases

Volume 37, Issues 9–10, 1984, Pages 755-764

Journal of Chronic D...

https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9681(84)90044-4 Get rights and content

Abstract

An understanding of means to improve patient adherence to the therapeutic regimen is a subject of increasing concern in medical care. This study examined the effects of physician interpersonal skills and teaching on patient satisfaction, recall, and adherence to the regimen. We studied the ambulatory visits of 63 patients to five medical residents at a teaching hospital in Baltimore.

It was found that quality of interpersonal skills influenced patient outcomes more than quantity of teaching and instruction. Secondary analyses found that all the effects of physician communication skills on patient adherence are mediated by patient satisfaction and recall. These findings indicate that the physician might pay particular attention to these two variables in trying to improve patient adherence, and that enhancing patient satisfaction may be pivotal to the care of patients with chronic illness.

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^☆: Research conducted at the Primary Care Residency Program, Baltimore City Hospital, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.

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Original articleThe effects of physician communications skills on patient satisfaction; Recall, and adherence☆

Abstract

Publ Health Lond

J Chron Dis

Pat Counsel Health Educ

Pat Counsel Health Educ

Physician and patient as a social system

N Engl J Med

The Social System

Gaps in doctor-patient communications. I. Doctor-patient interaction and patient satisfaction

Pediatrics

Gaps in doctor-patient communication: Patient's response to medical advice