BACKGROUND: In Taiwan, older veterans typically match the characteristics of a high prevalence of inadequate health literacy, which is a major barrier to effective communication in delivering proper health care. A good physician-patient relationship increases patients' trust and willingness to communicate, so an awareness of the factors that influence this relationship could improve it over time and enhance patients' health. AIM: To explore factors related to the physician-patient relationship among older veterans with inadequate health literacy in Taiwan. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational study in veterans' homes. METHOD: Data were collected using self-report questionnaires in face-to-face interviews. Patients with a Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults score <60 (defined as inadequate health literacy) were recruited. Demographic characteristics, the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control, and Perceived Involvement in Care Scales were used to identify related factors. Multiple regression and bootstrapping were used for data analyses. RESULTS: A total of 256 older individuals were defined as having inadequate health literacy. Patients' perceived involvement in health care partially mediated the relationship between Health Locus of Control and the physician-patient relationship. Perceived Involvement in Care, depression score, and Health Locus of Control were predictors of the physician-patient relationship. CONCLUSION: Older patients with inadequate health literacy had difficulty becoming actively involved in health care. The GP is in an ideal position to become a key person in helping such patients become involved in health care, and appropriately treating their depression may improve the physician-patient relationship.
BACKGROUND: In Taiwan, older veterans typically match the characteristics of a high prevalence of inadequate health literacy, which is a major barrier to effective communication in delivering proper health care. A good physician-patient relationship increases patients' trust and willingness to communicate, so an awareness of the factors that influence this relationship could improve it over time and enhance patients' health. AIM: To explore factors related to the physician-patient relationship among older veterans with inadequate health literacy in Taiwan. DESIGN AND SETTING: Observational study in veterans' homes. METHOD: Data were collected using self-report questionnaires in face-to-face interviews. Patients with a Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults score <60 (defined as inadequate health literacy) were recruited. Demographic characteristics, the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control, and Perceived Involvement in Care Scales were used to identify related factors. Multiple regression and bootstrapping were used for data analyses. RESULTS: A total of 256 older individuals were defined as having inadequate health literacy. Patients' perceived involvement in health care partially mediated the relationship between Health Locus of Control and the physician-patient relationship. Perceived Involvement in Care, depression score, and Health Locus of Control were predictors of the physician-patient relationship. CONCLUSION: Older patients with inadequate health literacy had difficulty becoming actively involved in health care. The GP is in an ideal position to become a key person in helping such patients become involved in health care, and appropriately treating their depression may improve the physician-patient relationship.
Authors: Geraldine M Leydon; Christopher F Dowrick; Anita S McBride; Hana J Burgess; Amanda C Howe; Pamela D Clarke; Susan P Maisey; Tony Kendrick Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2011-02 Impact factor: 5.386
Authors: Rhona M Eveleigh; Esther Muskens; Hiske van Ravesteijn; Inge van Dijk; Eric van Rijswijk; Peter Lucassen Journal: J Clin Epidemiol Date: 2012-01 Impact factor: 6.437
Authors: Russell Noyes; Oladipo A Kukoyi; Susan L Longley; Douglas R Langbehn; Scott P Stuart Journal: Ann Clin Psychiatry Date: 2011-08 Impact factor: 1.567
Authors: Mario Alfredo De Marco; Vanessa Albuquerque Cítero; Maria Cezira Fantini Nogueira-Martins; Latife Yazigi; Lawrence Sagin Wissow; Luiz Antonio Nogueira-Martins; Sergio Baxter Andreoli Journal: Sao Paulo Med J Date: 2011-01-06 Impact factor: 1.044