Changes in Doctor-Patient Communication from 1986 to 2002
Author Information
Author(s): Jozien M Bensing, Fred Tromp, Sandra van Dulmen, Atie van den Brink-Muinen, William Verheul, François G Schellevis
Primary Institution: NIVEL, Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research
Hypothesis
Patients have become more active participants and physicians have become more task-oriented over the past decades.
Conclusion
Consultations in 2002 were more task-oriented and businesslike than those in 1986, with patients being less active in their communication.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients talked less in recent consultations, asking fewer questions and showing less concern.
- Doctors provided more medical information but were less engaged in partnership building.
- Consultations in 2002 were characterized by a more businesslike communication style.
Takeaway
Doctors and patients talked differently in 2002 compared to 1986, with patients saying less and doctors focusing more on giving information.
Methodology
A repeated cross-sectional observation study using videotaped consultations with hypertension patients from 1986 and 2002.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the use of different coders and the clustering of consultations around doctors in the first sample.
Limitations
Different coders were used for the two samples, and the number of patients per GP differed between the two study periods.
Participant Demographics
Patients' mean age was 57.7 years in 1986 and 61.4 years in 2002, with no significant gender differences.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.02
Confidence Interval
95% CI provided for various communication categories.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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