A Qualitative Analysis of Physician Humanism: Women's Experiences with Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the humanistic qualities of physicians deemed important to women who have experienced hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), thereby, contributing to patient satisfaction.

STUDY DESIGN: Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with 96 women who had experienced HG. Content analysis was the qualitative method used to analyze and interpret the interview texts.

RESULTS: Patient satisfaction was associated with women's perceptions that physicians believed their accounts of their symptoms (i.e., that the woman is neither fabricating symptoms nor overreacting). The perception of being believed by doctors (and other health care provides) was important in terms of feeling validated that their illness was “real,” and imperative to women seeking and receiving medical care. Perceived delays in diagnosing and/or instituting treatment were viewed as contributing to unnecessary exacerbations of the illness and hospitalizations, increased emotional strain, and psychologic stress.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of physician's “believing a patient's story” in contributing to patient satisfaction and possibly health outcomes.