Luis González-de Paz1, Belchin Kostov2, Jose A López-Pina3, Pilar Solans-Julián4, M Dolors Navarro-Rubio5, Antoni Sisó-Almirall6. 1. Transverse Group for Research in Primary Care, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya. Sant Cugat del Vallés, gonzalezdepaz@hotmail.com. 2. Transverse Group for Research in Primary Care, IDIBAPS, Barcelona. 3. Department of Basic Psychology and Methodology. University of Murcia, Murcia. 4. Institut Català de la Salut. Àmbit d'Atenció Primària Barcelona Ciutat. Barcelona and. 5. School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya. Sant Cugat del Vallés. 6. Transverse Group for Research in Primary Care, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, University of Barcelona School of Medicine (Hospital Clinic), Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients' opinions are crucial in assessing the effectiveness of the ethical theories which underlie the care relationship between patients and primary health care professionals. OBJECTIVES: To study the ethical behaviour of primary health care professionals with respect to communication issues according to patients' opinions. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire in patients from a network of 15 urban primary health centres. Participants were patients attended at the centres when the study was conducted. We used a Rasch analysis to verify the structure of the 17 questionnaire items, and to calculate interval level measures for patients and items. We analysed differences according to patient subgroups using analysis of variance tests and differences between the endorsement of each item. RESULTS: We analysed 1013 (70.34%) of questionnaires. Data fit to the Rasch model was achieved after collapsing two categories and eliminating five items. Items with the lowest degree of endorsement were related to the management of differences in conflictive situations between patients and health care professionals. We found significant differences (P < 0.001) in patients' opinions according to the degree of confidence in professionals and their educational level. CONCLUSIONS: Patients opined that empathy and traditional communication skills were respected by family physicians and nurses. However, opinions on endorsement were lower when patients disagreed with health care professionals. The differences found between patient subgroups demonstrated the importance of trust and confidence between patients and professionals.
BACKGROUND:Patients' opinions are crucial in assessing the effectiveness of the ethical theories which underlie the care relationship between patients and primary health care professionals. OBJECTIVES: To study the ethical behaviour of primary health care professionals with respect to communication issues according to patients' opinions. METHODS: Cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire in patients from a network of 15 urban primary health centres. Participants were patients attended at the centres when the study was conducted. We used a Rasch analysis to verify the structure of the 17 questionnaire items, and to calculate interval level measures for patients and items. We analysed differences according to patient subgroups using analysis of variance tests and differences between the endorsement of each item. RESULTS: We analysed 1013 (70.34%) of questionnaires. Data fit to the Rasch model was achieved after collapsing two categories and eliminating five items. Items with the lowest degree of endorsement were related to the management of differences in conflictive situations between patients and health care professionals. We found significant differences (P < 0.001) in patients' opinions according to the degree of confidence in professionals and their educational level. CONCLUSIONS:Patients opined that empathy and traditional communication skills were respected by family physicians and nurses. However, opinions on endorsement were lower when patients disagreed with health care professionals. The differences found between patient subgroups demonstrated the importance of trust and confidence between patients and professionals.