S Werner1, S Yalon-Chamovitz2, M Tenne Rinde2, A D Heymann3. 1. Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, Center for Disability Studies, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel. Electronic address: shirli.werner@mail.huji.ac.il. 2. The Department of Occupational Therapy, Ono Academic College, Kiryat-Ono, Israel. 3. The Department of Family Medicine, The Sackler Faculty of Medicine, University of Tel Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Examine physicians' implementation of effective communication principles with patients with intellectual disabilities (ID) and its predictors. METHODS: Focus groups helped construct a quantitative questionnaire. The questionnaire (completed by 440 physicians) examined utilization of effective communication principles, attitudes toward individuals with ID, subjective knowledge and number of patients with ID. RESULTS: Subjective knowledge of ID and more patients with ID increased utilization of effective communication principles. Provision of knowledge that allows patients to make their own medical decisions was predicted by more patients with ID, lower attitudes that treatment of this population group is not desirable, less negative affect and greater perception that treatment of this group is part of the physician's role. Effective preparation of patients with ID for treatment was predicted by higher perception of treatment of this group as part of the physician's role, lower perception of this field as undesirable and higher perception of these individuals as unable to make their own choice. Simplification of information was predicted by a greater perception of treatment of this group as part of the physician's role and more negative affect. CONCLUSION: Greater familiarity may enhance care for these patients. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Increase exposure to patients with ID within training.
OBJECTIVE: Examine physicians' implementation of effective communication principles with patients with intellectual disabilities (ID) and its predictors. METHODS: Focus groups helped construct a quantitative questionnaire. The questionnaire (completed by 440 physicians) examined utilization of effective communication principles, attitudes toward individuals with ID, subjective knowledge and number of patients with ID. RESULTS: Subjective knowledge of ID and more patients with ID increased utilization of effective communication principles. Provision of knowledge that allows patients to make their own medical decisions was predicted by more patients with ID, lower attitudes that treatment of this population group is not desirable, less negative affect and greater perception that treatment of this group is part of the physician's role. Effective preparation of patients with ID for treatment was predicted by higher perception of treatment of this group as part of the physician's role, lower perception of this field as undesirable and higher perception of these individuals as unable to make their own choice. Simplification of information was predicted by a greater perception of treatment of this group as part of the physician's role and more negative affect. CONCLUSION: Greater familiarity may enhance care for these patients. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Increase exposure to patients with ID within training.
Authors: Nili Amir; Lauren D Smith; Anne M Valentine; Monika Mitra; Susan L Parish; Tiffany A Moore Simas Journal: Disabil Health J Date: 2021-12-17 Impact factor: 2.554