Factors influencing the patient-provider relationship

Abstract

This article analyzes some of the central elements of the patient-provider relationship i.e. continuity of care, communication, compliance, and the various elements of the consultation itself. This analysis is based on the review of relevant literature. The same principles apply to this relationship regardless of the provider category. When aiming at good care the recognition of the real need of care and the sharing of information with the patient in a proper and effective way are important. These skills belong to the professional competence of the provider. Continuity of care is the element facilitating the forming of a good patient-provider relationship. The importance of the patient-provider consultation is very great. The immediate, intermediate and long term outcomes of the consultation have been studied by several researchers. The immediate outcomes such as the patient satisfaction strongly influence the intermediate outcomes and also the long term outcomes all-though the intermediate (i.e. compliance) and long term (i.e. change in health status) is also strongly influenced by the patient's sociocultural environment. On the other hand, the patient's health understanding can be much enhanced through skillful communication by the provider during the consultation in a good patient-provider relationship. This, again, connects the elements of consultation very tightly with the success or failure of the care process and the patient's future use of health services.