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Doctor-Patient Interaction: Standardized Patients' Reflections from Inside the Rheumatological Office
SIMONE GORTER, ALBERT SCHERPBIER, JOLANDA BRAUER, JAN-JOOST RETHANS, DÉSIRÉE van der HEIJDE, HARRY HOUBEN, CEES van der VLEUTEN, and SJEF van der LINDEN
ABSTRACT. Methods. A focus group interview was organized with SP who had completed 254 incognito visits to 26 Dutch rheumatologists in a study assessing rheumatologists' daily practice performance; 13 of 16 SP attended the interview. Patients discussed aspects of interaction with the physicians. The interview was audiotaped and transcribed literally. Recurring themes were identified. Results. Participants were on the whole very satisfied with the rheumatological care received. Factors contributing to satisfaction included "being approached as a person," "being treated respectfully," and "being given enough room to mention all complaints." On the other hand, SP were struck by the variation in performance among the rheumatologists. Conclusion. Physicians may not be aware of the influence of their behavior on patients. Most critical comments from patients regarding communication and behavior were on small things, which should not be too difficult to change in daily practice. (J Rheumatol 2002;29:1496-500) Key Indexing Terms:
STANDARDIZED PATIENTS From the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital Maastricht; Faculty of Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht; and Atrium Medical Center Heerlen, Heerlen, The Netherlands. Supported by the Dutch Arthritis Association, grant 97-2-201. .L. Gorter, MD, Researcher; J. Brauer, Research Assistant; S. van der Linden, MD, PhD, Professor in Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital Maastricht; D.M.F.M. van der Heijde, MD, PhD, Professor in Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands, and Limburg University Center, Diepenbeek, Belgium; A.J.J.A. Scherpbier, MD, PhD, Professor of Medical Education, Scientific Director, Institute for Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine; J-J. Rethans, MD, PhD, General Practitioner, Coordinator, Standardized Patient Program at the Skillslab, Faculty of Medicine; C.P.M. van der Vleuten, PhD, Professor of Education, Director, Department of Educational Development and Research, Faculty of Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; H.H.M.L. Houben, MD, PhD, Rheumatologist, Atrium Medical Center Heerlen, Heerlen, The Netherlands. Address reprint requests to Dr. A. Scherpbier, Institute for Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, Maastricht University, PO Box 1600, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. E-mail: a.scherpbier@oifdg.unimaas.nl Submitted August 13, 2001; revision accepted January 31, 2002. |