Surgeons’ non-transparent facemasks challenge the physician–patient relationship in the orthopedic outpatient clinic of a tertiary university hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic: a prospective cohort study of 285 patients

Background and purpose — Facemasks play a role in preventing the respiratory spread of SARS-CoV-2, but their impact on the physician–patient relationship in the orthopedic outpatient clinic is unclear. We investigated whether the type of surgeons’ facemask impacts patients’ perception of the physician–patient relationship, influences their understanding of what the surgeon said, or affects their perceived empathy. Patients and methods — All patients with an appointment in the orthopedic outpatient clinic of a tertiary university hospital during the 2-week study period were included. During consultations, all surgeons wore a non-transparent (first study week) or transparent facemask (second study week). Results of 285 of 407 eligible patients were available for analysis. The doctor–patient relationship was evaluated using the standardized Patient Reactions Assessment (PRA) and a 10-point Likert-scale questionnaire ranging from 0 (strongly disagree) to 10 (strongly agree). Results — A non-transparent facemask led to more restrictions in the physician–patient communication and a worse understanding of what the surgeon said. Patients’ understanding improved with a transparent facemask with greatest improvements reported by patients aged 65 years and older (non-transparent: 6 [IQR 5–10] vs. transparent: 10 [IQR 9–10], p < 0.001) and by patients with a self-reported hearing impairment (non-transparent: 7 [IQR 3–7] vs. transparent: 9 [IQR 9–10], p < 0.001). The median PRA score was higher when surgeons wore a transparent facemask (p= 0.003). Interpretation — Surgeons’ non-transparent facemasks pose a new communication barrier that can negatively affect the physician–patient relationship. While emotional factors like affectivity and empathy seem to be less affected overall, the physician–patient communication and patients’ understanding of what the surgeon said seem to be negatively affected.

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The Physician-Patient Relationship: How It Is Represented in Iranian National Television

Journal of Medical Education ◽

10.5812/jme.107905 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hessameddin Riahi ◽

Shabnam Bazmi ◽

Seyed Ali Enjoo ◽

Shirin Ahmadnia ◽

Leila Afshar

Keyword(s):

Interpersonal Communication ◽

Health Workers ◽

Qualitative Inquiry ◽

Patient Communication ◽

Patient Relationship ◽

Physician Patient Relationship ◽

Content Analysis Method ◽

Physician Patient Communication ◽

Physician Patient ◽

Medical Drama

Background: In modern-day medicine, there is plenty of evidence-based communication studies implying that good physician-patient communication provides better diagnosis and treatment, as well as patient satisfaction and compliance with the therapeutic plan. Medical educators who promote better communication to strengthen the physician-patient relationship believe that shared decision-making is the most favorable model after the era of paternalistic and consumeristic models as the dominant types of interpersonal communication between doctors and their patients. On the other hand, different media, especially medical dramas, if properly targeted, can be used as an educational tool for health workers and a cultural factor for the whole society to ameliorate the current difficulties in the physician-patient relationship. Objectives: Therefore, this study aimed to determine how the Iranian national TV medical drama represents the physician-patient relationship. Methods: We used a qualitative inquiry to analyze a medical drama about hospital affairs, named The Nurses, which was produced by the Iranian national television with the cooperation and sponsorship of Iran’s Ministry of Health and broadcasted as a two-season television drama in 46 episodes during 2016 - 2017. In this regard, all aspects of physician-patient communication were analyzed based on the thematic deductive content analysis method. Results: The study reviewed 46 out of 51 episodes. Each sene that represented the physician-patient relationship was analyzed based on a developed checklist. The checklist was prepared based on a literature review, and its content validity was approved by the medical ethics experts. Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that this medical drama paradoxically represented the paternalistic model of the physician-patient relationship that was inconsistent with the formal views of Iranian authorities.

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The Effects of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Use in Primary Care on the Physician-Patient Relationship

Handbook of Research on ICTs for Human-Centered Healthcare and Social Care Services ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-3986-7.ch007 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 130-150

Author(s):

Shira Assis-Hassid ◽

Iris Reychav ◽

Joseph S. Pliskin ◽

Tsipi Heart Heart

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Healthcare Quality ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Patient Communication ◽

Patient Relationship ◽

Healthcare Outcomes ◽

Physician Patient Relationship ◽

Theoretical Frameworks ◽

Physician Patient Communication ◽

Physician Patient

The implications of the physician-patient relationship and communication on healthcare quality have been widely discussed in previous research. Communication has been characterized as one of the most powerful, encompassing, and versatile instruments available to the physician, and it has been suggested that good physician-patient communication can improve healthcare outcomes. The incorporation of ICT in healthcare and, more specifically, the introduction of EMRs in primary care provide an opportunity for improving healthcare services and quality of care. Healthcare ICT has without a doubt transformed the dynamics of the medical encounter. Implications of EMRs on the physician-patient communication, and thus on healthcare quality have not yet reached a full understanding. The authors suggest a research model based on theoretical frameworks derived from the IS and medicine disciplines, describing factors affecting appropriate use of EMR, which will lead to physician and patient satisfaction.

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Physician-patient relationship at HUEH: is it a “relationship to” or a “relationship between”

10.1101/2020.04.19.20065482 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Axler Jean Paul ◽

Yves Gardy Leonard ◽

Rebecca Saint Louis ◽

Jackyvens Camille ◽

Hans Peter K. Delicat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Analysis ◽

University Hospital ◽

Therapeutic Management ◽

State University ◽

Patient Relationship ◽

Physician Patient Relationship ◽

Relationship Model ◽

Level Information ◽

Physician Patient ◽

The Relationship

AbstractTo discover the relationship model in force between doctor and patient at the Haitian State University Hospital of Haïti (HUEH), a semi-directed survey was conducted among fifty patients. The qualitative analysis of the various interviews showed that patients were generally satisfied with their relationship with doctors. However, opinions are not sharing on their level information whether it is their illness or their therapeutic management; the results also showed that doctors had poor empathy. Hence our conclusion there is an unethical relationship in this institution, where doctors and patients coexist mainly in a “to” relationship and less so in a “between” relationship.

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Enhancing Physician-Patient Communication

Hematology ◽

10.1182/asheducation-2002.1.464 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 2002 (1) ◽

pp. 464-483 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Stephanie J. Lee ◽

Anthony L. Back ◽

Susan D. Block ◽

Susan K. Stewart

Keyword(s):

Communication Skills ◽

Medical Information ◽

Patient Communication ◽

Bad News ◽

Patient Relationship ◽

Guidelines Development ◽

Physician Patient Communication ◽

Communication Challenges ◽

Physician Patient ◽

Delivering Bad News

Abstract Physician-patient communication encompasses the verbal and nonverbal interactions that form the basis for the doctor-patient relationship. A growing body of research and guidelines development acknowledges that physicians do not have to be born with excellent communication skills, but rather can learn them as they practice the other aspects of medicine. Improvement in physician-patient communication can result in better patient care and help patients adapt to illness and treatment. In addition, knowledge of communication strategies may decrease stress on physicians because delivering bad news, dealing with patients’ emotions, and sharing decision making, particularly around issues of informed consent or when medical information is extremely complex, have been recognized by physicians as communication challenges. This paper will provide an overview of research aimed at improving patient outcome through better physician-patient communication and discuss guidelines and practical suggestions immediately applicable to clinical practice.

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How the COVID-19 outbreak affected physician-patient relationship

10.29328/journal.jcmhs.1001003 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 023-025

Author(s):

Fakhari Ali ◽

Dolatkhah Roya ◽

Dehkharghani Keivan Fakhari

Keyword(s):

Health Workers ◽

Basic Element ◽

Patient Relationship ◽

Front Line ◽

Physician Patient Relationship ◽

Protective Measures ◽

Face To Face ◽

Physician Patient Communication ◽

Physical Examinations ◽

Physician Patient

Physician-patient communication is the most basic element and vital skill of physicians in the diagnosis, treatment, and establishing diagnostic protocols. As the risks of contagion and viral infection are higher in physicians and health workers, front line soldiers inpatient care units, so they should establish strict protective measures. However, patients value greatly face to face and close relationships with their doctors, including facial interviews and physical examinations. So social and physical distancing between physician and their patients can be remarked as a bigger toll than the risk of COVID-19 contagious.

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