[The physician-patient relationship and the clinical interview (II): the opinion and preferences of physicians]

Abstract

Objective: To find the satisfaction and preferences of Primary Care doctors about the doctor-patient relationship and the clinical interview.

Design: Observational, descriptive and crossover study.

Setting: Primary Care.

Patients and other participants: 51 doctors from 6 health centres in the province of Jaén and 21 family medicine residents.

Interventions: A validated questionnaire on job satisfaction, the clinical interview and doctors' relationship with their patients, and 25 items to assess the importance of different aspects of doctor-patient interaction.

Measurements and main results: 14% (SE, 4.1) of those polled stated they were very satisfied; 70% (SE; 5.4), satisfied; and 11% (SE, 3.7), that the relationship and process of communication with patients was unsatisfactory or very unsatisfactory. Among the most valued aspects were those referring to communication in the interview (information on treatment, use of understandable words, clarification of doubts and summary of the essential points at the end), encouragement to carry out the treatment, correct professional practice (clinical history) and ease in the consultation.

Conclusions: There was great satisfaction with the relationship. The importance of providing understandable information was emphasised. Features of the consultation which focused on the patient were more negatively valued.