Abstract
Extract: As one of several approaches to scientific analysis of doctor-patient communication 285 visits to a pediatric walk-in clinic were scrutinized using an expanded version of Bales' Interaction Process Analysis Data analysis consisted of individual case studies and computer programs for descriptive summaries of cases and index scores. Factor analysis and chi-square calculations were among the methods used to test significant relations between attributes of the doctor-patient interaction and the dependent variables, patient satisfaction, compliance, and demography.
As hypothesized, a distinctive behavior pattern emerged for doctor, parent, and child. Doctors were found to talk more but show less emotion than mothers. Almost two-thirds of the mother's communication related to medical history, while the doctor discussed history and treatment but gave little reassurance or friendlines to the mother, almost half of his conversation with the child consisited of friendly statements. In general, outcome of the medical consultation was found to be favourably influenced by having physician who was friendly, expressed solidarity, took some time to discuss nonmedical, social subjects, and gave the impression of offering information freely without the patients having to request it or feeling excessively questioned.
Speculation: Because of the complicated nature and limited methods available for study, the doctor-patient relation has rarely been subjected to scientific inquiry or attempts at quantification. It is hoped that the present effort as well as other ongoing studies will contribute to a body of scientific information which in itself may have application for pediatric education and practice and which ultimately might contribute one approach in urgently needed studies of the quality of medical care.
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Fremon, B., Negrete, V., Davis, M. et al. Gaps in Doctor-Patient Communication: Doctor-Patient Interaction Analysis. Pediatr Res 5, 298–311 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197107000-00003
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197107000-00003
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