scholarly journals Use of patients’ unsolicited correspondence to a family doctor to describe and understand valued components of a doctor-patient relationship: A Hermeneutics approach

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Yaffe ◽  
Richard B. Hovey ◽  
Charo Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Quality Care ◽  
Family Doctor ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Similar Process ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Single Family ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Face To Face

Abstract Background Positive doctor-patient relationship have been linked to some good patient outcomes. Different modalities have been used to study communication and behaviors within such encounters. Unsolicited writings from patients to doctors has rarely been reported on in this context; therefore this paper aimed to explore the content of such correspondence sent to a single family physician over a 4 decade period. Methods 107 of 140 pieces of correspondence contained content necessary to permit studying three research questions: (1) using univariate analyses, which patients or family members wrote personalized notes to the family doctor, when, and in what fashion; (2) using Hermeneutic exploration of each note, what words or sentiments were used to describe encounters with, and care received, from the doctor; (3) with similar Hermeneutic exploration, what words or phrases provided insight into the apparent motivations underlying the writing of the notes. Results The notes were mostly handwritten, predominantly by women, and frequently around personally relevant life span events. An iterative process generated six themes which summarized appreciated physician or relational attributes: (1) quality care; and physician (2) competence; (3) physical presence; (4) positive personal traits; (5) provision of emotional support; and (6) spiritual impact. A similar process identified six motivations for writing, which were to: (1) express appreciation for an established relationship; (2) acknowledge value / benefit experienced from continuity of care; (3) seek catharsis, emotional relief or closure; (4) reflect on termination of care; (5) validate care that extended beyond the Hippocratic tradition into that of Asklepian healing [17] ; and (6) share personal reflection, experience, or impact. Conclusions Unsolicited writings to a doctor provide a personalized, direct link from patient to physician that seems to allow for expression of thoughts difficult to convey face to face. They provide unique, real life testimonials that offer potential as a teaching tool on doctor-patient relationships. These particular patients seemed to value considerate, competent, quality care that was given in continuity fashion, with support for emotional and spiritual needs. In some communities this suggests that good care needs to go beyond rapid accessibility.

scholarly journals Use of patients’ unsolicited correspondence to a family doctor to describe and understand valued components of a doctor-patient relationship: A Hermeneutics approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Yaffe ◽  
Richard B. Hovey ◽  
Charo Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Quality Care ◽  
Family Doctor ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Personal Traits ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Established Relationship ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Patient Relationships ◽  
Spiritual Impact

Abstract Background Communication and behavior within doctor - patient encounters have been examined using varied techniques; however the nature of unsolicited writings from patients to their family doctors has rarely been reported. This paper therefore aimed to explore the content of, and motivation for, such correspondence. Methods One hundred and seven writings to one family physician about care provided during a four decade period were considered. Univariate analyses were used to identify features of patients or family members who wrote personalized notes to the doctor, when, and in what fashion. A hermeneutic approach helped look at the content of the notes, the specific words or sentiments used to describe encounters or care received, and possible motivations for writing. Iterative review of words or phrases generated themes which summarized appreciated physician or relational attributes, as well as motivations for writing. Results Notes were mostly handwritten, predominantly by women, and frequently coinciding with holidays and life span events. Appreciated doctor characteristics and behaviors were (1) quality care; and physician (2) competence; (3) physical presence; (4) positive personal traits; (5) provision of emotional support; and (6) spiritual impact. Motivations for writing were grouped as desire to (1) express appreciation for an established relationship; (2) acknowledge value / benefit experienced from continuity of care; (3) seek catharsis, emotional relief or closure; (4) reflect on termination of care; (5) validate care that incorporates both Hippocratic tradition and Asklepian healing; and (6) share personal reflection, experience, or impact. Conclusions Unsolicited writings provide personalized links from patients to physicians, expressing thoughts perhaps difficult to share face to face. They offer potential as teaching tools about the content of doctor-patient relationships; for example, the writers studied expressed appreciation for quality continuity care that was competent, considerate, and supportive of emotional and spiritual needs.

scholarly journals Use of patients’ unsolicited correspondence to a family doctor to describe and understand valued components of a doctor-patient relationship: A Hermeneutics approach

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Yaffe ◽  
Richard B. Hovey ◽  
Charo Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Quality Care ◽  
Family Doctor ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Personal Traits ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Established Relationship ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Patient Relationships ◽  
Spiritual Impact

Abstract Background Communication and behavior within doctor - patient encounters have been examined using varied techniques; however the nature of unsolicited writings from patients to their family doctors has rarely been reported. This paper therefore aimed to explore the content of, and motivation for, such correspondence. Methods 107 writings to one family physician about care provided during a four decade period were considered. Univariate analyses were used to identify features of patients or family members who wrote personalized notes to the doctor, when, and in what fashion. A hermeneutic approach helped look at the content of the notes, the specific words or sentiments used to describe encounters or care received, and possible motivations for writing. Iterative review of words or phrases generated themes which summarized appreciated physician or relational attributes, as well as motivations for writing. Results Notes were mostly handwritten, predominantly by women, and frequently coinciding with holidays and life span events. Appreciated doctor characteristics and behaviors were (1) quality care; and physician (2) competence; (3) physical presence; (4) positive personal traits; (5) provision of emotional support; and (6) spiritual impact. Motivations for writing were grouped as desire to (1) express appreciation for an established relationship; (2) acknowledge value / benefit experienced from continuity of care; (3) seek catharsis, emotional relief or closure; (4) reflect on termination of care; (5) validate care that incorporates both Hippocratic tradition and Asklepian healing ; and (6) share personal reflection, experience, or impact. Conclusions Unsolicited writings provide personalized links from patients to physicians, expressing thoughts perhaps difficult to share face to face. They offer potential as teaching tools about the content of doctor-patient relationships; for example, the writers studied expressed appreciation for quality continuity care that was competent, considerate, and supportive of emotional and spiritual needs.

scholarly journals Use of patients’ unsolicited correspondence to a family doctor to describe and understand valued components of a doctor-patient relationship: A Hermeneutics approach

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Yaffe ◽  
Richard B. Hovey ◽  
Charo Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Quality Care ◽  
Family Doctor ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Personal Traits ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Established Relationship ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Patient Relationships ◽  
Spiritual Impact

Abstract Background Communication and behavior within doctor - patient encounters have been examined using varied techniques; however the nature of unsolicited writings from patients to their family doctors has rarely been reported. This paper therefore aimed to explore the content of, and motivation for, such correspondence. Methods 107 writings to one family physician about care provided during a four decade period were considered. Univariate analyses were used to identify features of patients or family members who wrote personalized notes to the doctor, when, and in what fashion. A hermeneutic approach helped look at the content of the notes, the specific words or sentiments used to describe encounters or care received, and possible motivations for writing. Iterative review of words or phrases generated themes which summarized appreciated physician or relational attributes, as well as motivations for writing. Results Notes were mostly handwritten, predominantly by women, and frequently coinciding with holidays and life span events. Appreciated doctor characteristics and behaviors were (1) quality care; and physician (2) competence; (3) physical presence; (4) positive personal traits; (5) provision of emotional support; and (6) spiritual impact. Motivations for writing were grouped as desire to (1) express appreciation for an established relationship; (2) acknowledge value / benefit experienced from continuity of care; (3) seek catharsis, emotional relief or closure; (4) reflect on termination of care; (5) validate care that incorporates both Hippocratic tradition and Asklepian healing ; and (6) share personal reflection, experience, or impact. Conclusions Unsolicited writings provide personalized links from patients to physicians, expressing thoughts perhaps difficult to share face to face. They offer potential as teaching tools about the content of doctor-patient relationships; for example, the writers studied expressed appreciation for quality continuity care that was competent, considerate, and supportive of emotional and spiritual needs.

scholarly journals Use of patients’ unsolicited correspondence to a family doctor to describe and understand valued components of a doctor-patient relationship: A Hermeneutics approach

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Yaffe ◽  
Richard B. Hovey ◽  
Charo Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Quality Care ◽  
Family Doctor ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Personal Traits ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Established Relationship ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Patient Relationships ◽  
Spiritual Impact

Abstract Background Communication and behavior within doctor - patient encounters have been examined using varied techniques; however the nature of unsolicited writings from patients to their family doctors has rarely been reported. This paper therefore aimed to explore the content of, and motivation for, such correspondence. Methods 107 writings to one family physician about care provided during a four decade period were considered. Univariate analyses were used to identify features of patients or family members who wrote personalized notes to the doctor, when, and in what fashion. A hermeneutic approach helped look at the content of the notes, the specific words or sentiments used to describe encounters or care received, and possible motivations for writing. Iterative review of words or phrases generated themes which summarized appreciated physician or relational attributes, as well as motivations for writing. Results Notes were mostly handwritten, predominantly by women, and frequently coinciding with holidays and life span events. Appreciated doctor characteristics and behaviors were (1) quality care; and physician (2) competence; (3) physical presence; (4) positive personal traits; (5) provision of emotional support; and (6) spiritual impact. Motivations for writing were grouped as desire to (1) express appreciation for an established relationship; (2) acknowledge value / benefit experienced from continuity of care; (3) seek catharsis, emotional relief or closure; (4) reflect on termination of care; (5) validate care that incorporates both Hippocratic tradition and Asklepian healing ; and (6) share personal reflection, experience, or impact. Conclusions Unsolicited writings provide personalized links from patients to physicians, expressing thoughts perhaps difficult to share face to face. They offer potential as teaching tools about the content of doctor-patient relationships; for example, the writers studied expressed appreciation for quality continuity care that was competent, considerate, and supportive of emotional and spiritual needs.

scholarly journals Use of patients’ unsolicited correspondence to a family doctor to describe and understand valued components of a doctor-patient relationship: A Hermeneutics approach

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Yaffe ◽  
Richard B. Hovey ◽  
Charo Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Quality Care ◽  
Family Doctor ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Personal Traits ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Established Relationship ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Patient Relationships ◽  
Spiritual Impact

Abstract Background Communication and behavior within doctor - patient encounters have been examined using varied techniques; however the nature of unsolicited writings from patients to their family doctors has rarely been reported. This paper therefore aimed to explore the content of, and motivation for, such correspondence. Methods 107 writings to one family physician about care provided during a four decade period were considered. Univariate analyses were used to identify features of patients or family members who wrote personalized notes to the doctor, when, and in what fashion. A hermeneutic approach helped look at the content of the notes, the specific words or sentiments used to describe encounters or care received, and possible motivations for writing. Iterative review of words or phrases generated themes which summarized appreciated physician or relational attributes, as well as motivations for writing. Results Notes were mostly handwritten, predominantly by women, and frequently coinciding with holidays and life span events. Appreciated doctor characteristics and behaviors were (1) quality care; and physician (2) competence; (3) physical presence; (4) positive personal traits; (5) provision of emotional support; and (6) spiritual impact. Motivations for writing were grouped as desire to (1) express appreciation for an established relationship; (2) acknowledge value / benefit experienced from continuity of care; (3) seek catharsis, emotional relief or closure; (4) reflect on termination of care; (5) validate care that incorporates both Hippocratic tradition and Asklepian healing ; and (6) share personal reflection, experience, or impact. Conclusions Unsolicited writings provide personalized links from patients to physicians, expressing thoughts perhaps difficult to share face to face. They offer potential as teaching tools about the content of doctor-patient relationships; for example, the writers studied expressed appreciation for quality continuity care that was competent, considerate, and supportive of emotional and spiritual needs.

scholarly journals Use of patients’ unsolicited correspondence to a family doctor to describe and understand valued components of a doctor-patient relationship: A Hermeneutics approach

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J. Yaffe ◽  
Richard B. Hovey ◽  
Charo Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
Quality Care ◽  
Family Doctor ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Personal Traits ◽  
Family Doctors ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Established Relationship ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Patient Relationships ◽  
Spiritual Impact

Abstract Background Communication and behavior within doctor - patient encounters have been examined using varied techniques; however the nature of unsolicited writings from patients to their family doctors has rarely been reported. This paper therefore aimed to explore the content of, and motivation for, such correspondence. Methods 107 writings to one family physician about care provided during a four decade period were considered. Univariate analyses were used to identify features of patients or family members who wrote personalized notes to the doctor, when, and in what fashion. A hermeneutic approach helped look at the content of the notes, the specific words or sentiments used to describe encounters or care received, and possible motivations for writing. Iterative review of words or phrases generated themes which summarized appreciated physician or relational attributes, as well as motivations for writing. Results Notes were mostly handwritten, predominantly by women, and frequently coinciding with holidays and life span events. Appreciated doctor characteristics and behaviors were (1) quality care; and physician (2) competence; (3) physical presence; (4) positive personal traits; (5) provision of emotional support; and (6) spiritual impact. Motivations for writing were grouped as desire to (1) express appreciation for an established relationship; (2) acknowledge value / benefit experienced from continuity of care; (3) seek catharsis, emotional relief or closure; (4) reflect on termination of care; (5) validate care that incorporates both Hippocratic tradition and Asklepian healing ; and (6) share personal reflection, experience, or impact. Conclusions Unsolicited writings provide personalized links from patients to physicians, expressing thoughts perhaps difficult to share face to face. They offer potential as teaching tools about the content of doctor-patient relationships; for example, the writers studied expressed appreciation for quality continuity care that was competent, considerate, and supportive of emotional and spiritual needs.

Doctor-Patient Relationship: The Difficult Balance between Patient Psychology and Community Sociology

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-50
Author(s):  
Jose Luis Turabian
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Interpersonal Relationship ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Community Relations ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship ◽  
Important Place ◽  
Usual Model ◽  
Individual Personality ◽  
Object Of Study

Psychology and sociology share a common object of study, human behaviour, but from different perspectives. Sociologists have focused on macro variables, such as social structure, education, gender, age, race, etc., while psychology has focused on micro variables such as individual personality and behaviours, beliefs, empathy, listening, etc. Despite the importance of interpersonal relationship skills, they depend on the community or social context in which communication takes place, and by themselves may have little relevance in the consultation. The purely psychological analysis of the doctor-patient relationship often leads to an idyllic vision, with the patient-centred consultation as the greatest exponent, which rarely occurs in real life. The purely sociological or community / social analysis of the doctor-patient relationship leads to a negative view of the consultation, which is always shown as problematic. But, the psychological system in the doctor-patient relationship cannot be neglected, and its study is of importance, at least as an intermediate mechanism that is created through socio-community relations. Although the same social causes are behind the doctor-patient relationship, when acting on psychological factors in the consultation, they act as an optical prism scattering socio-community relations that affect the doctor and the patient, giving rise to a beam of different colors of doctor-patient relationship. In doctor-patient relationship there is a modality of psychotherapy, where attitudes, thoughts and behaviour of the patient, can be change, as well as it can be extended on the way of understanding and therefore changing, his social context. Because of the distance between socio-community relations and the form of doctor-patient relations is growing in complex societies, under these conditions, the sociological factor gives the important place to the psychological factor. Given these difficulties of the doctor-patient relationship one may ask how general medical practice can persist with the usual model of doctor-patient relationship. Pain and the desire to relieve them are the basic reasons for the patient and the doctor, and they do not disappear due to the contradictions of the doctor-patient relationship. In this way, the confrontation between sociological and psychological vision is replaced by an alliance of both currents, and each of them takes on meaning only in the general vision.

A comparative study of teleconsultations versus face-to-face consultations

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 257-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
E J Nordal ◽  
D Moseng ◽  
B Kvammen ◽  
M-L Løchen
Keyword(s):  
General Practitioner ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Complete Agreement ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship ◽  
Partial Agreement ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Made In

We compared the diagnoses made by one dermatologist via telemedicine with those of another dermatologist made in a face-to-face consultation. The patients first underwent a teledermatology consultation and then a face-to-face consultation. A general practitioner was present with the patient in the videoconference studio. Videoconferencing equipment connected at 384 kbit/s was used. The doctor-patient relationship and the satisfaction of the patients and dermatologists in the two settings were assessed, as well as technical conditions during the videoconferences. There were 121 patients, with a mean age of 40 years (range 17-82 years). There was a high degree of concordance between the two sets of diagnoses, with 72% complete agreement and 14% partial agreement between the two dermatologists. A total of 116 patients (96% of those included) completed a questionnaire. Both the patients and the dermatologists were in general satisfied with the videoconferences. Videoconferencing with a participating general practitioner may be useful in dermatology, but the technique should be used only for selected patients.

scholarly journals Quality health care in Indian setup: an ear, nose, throat outpatient department-based approach for quality health care indicators

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 44
Author(s):  
Himanshu Joshi ◽  
Satyanjaya Sahoo ◽  
Vikas Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Outpatient Department ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship ◽  
Quality Health Care ◽  
Hard Times ◽  
Quality Health ◽  
Health Care Indicators

<p><strong>Background:</strong> In this era doctor patient relationship facing hard times, especially in Indian setup. It is immensely evident in form of increasing lawsuits and violence against doctors. This brings patient centred approach with patient satisfaction into picture and further leads to concepts of quality health care. There is raised attention on enhancing the quality of life through the quality council of India. Here is an attempt to look for any causal association with the help of some routine indicators which if modified can lead to better state of doctor patient relationship.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This study has taken patient satisfaction into consideration with the help of quality care parameters at ear, nose, throat (ENT), outpatient department in Indian setup. These indicators are based on parameters divided into hospital domain and doctor domain and each parameter is graded on 5-point Likert scale.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Score under doctor domain are significantly high statistically. Examination and communication by doctor (domain) are the parameters which scored the most. Under hospital domain the highest preference by patients in terms of score was given to hygiene and sanitation of hospital.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Quality health care is multifactorial and parameters under hospital domain and doctor domain are interdependent to much extent. It has been concluded statistically that examination and communication by doctor derives a better sense of trust and doctor patient relationship significantly.</p>

scholarly journals A survey of Irish psychiatric trainees attitudes to balint groups

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S259-S259
Author(s):  
Sudha Jain ◽  
Emma Adams ◽  
Alyson Lee
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Online Groups ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Balint Groups

Aims1. To compare the experience of psychiatric trainees in Ireland of online Balint Groups (BG) in contrast to face to face groups.2. To assess the general attitudes of trainees to BG using the Psychological Medical Inventory (PMI) (Ireton and Sherman, 1988) scale.MethodAn online survey comprising two sections: 1. A questionnaire exploring participants experience, effectiveness and obstacles to attending the two formats of BG with a free text box response. 2. General attitude of trainees towards BG using PMI scale.An online cross-sectional survey using Survey Monkey. An invitation to participate in the survey was emailed to all trainees by the College of Psychiatrists in Ireland. All data were anonymised, and all data processing was conducted in line with GDPR. Statistical analysis was undertaken using Microsoft Excel. Thematic analysis was applied to the free-text box responses.Result16.49% (64/388) responded to the survey. Responses were uniform across all stages of training. 97% of respondents attended BG; 72% attended both formats, 25% attended only face-to-face and 3% online only. 65% of respondents preferred face to face compared to 18% online, whilst 11% stated no preference.On thematic analysis, trainees asserted a preference for face-to-face, describing better group cohesion, feeling safer to share, increased ease of interpreting non-verbal communication, and that conversation was more fluid. They described greater ease of engagement with the group/facilitator and preferred direct social interaction with peers.Conversely, most trainees acknowledged that online groups were convenient to attend, less time consuming & mitigated COVID risk associated with face-to-face meetings. Common themes against the use of online groups were: less psychotherapeutic in nature, technical issues, silences, unable to see participants faces and as though speaking “into the void”.Regarding trainees' attitudes to attending BG, most of the trainees found BG had been beneficial in developing more interest and confidence in dealing with the psychological aspects of patient care. Trainees agreed that skills improved in developing an excellent doctor-patient relationship, recognising patients under stress/ in distress, systemically obtaining psychological information and making treatment decisions based upon psychological needs and psychotherapeutic engagement. They agreed that they could better understand the influence of doctors' emotions on the doctor-patient relationship.ConclusionThis survey showed that most trainees find BG beneficial in developing better doctor-patient relationships, preferring face-to-face rather than online BG. However, they found online more convenient. A blended learning approach could provide trainees with the benefits of both formats of BG.

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