Homepage > Research abstracts > Doctor-patient communication patterns and their association with utilization of health services and illness perception among patients diagnosed with IBD (Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis)
Doctor-patient communication patterns and their association with utilization of health services and illness perception among patients diagnosed with IBD (Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis)
Researchers: Yaacov Bachner 1, Shmuel Odes 1, Adi Finkelstein 2, Doron Shvartz1, Eran Israeli 3
- Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
- Jerusalem College of Technology
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic conditions that require consistent treatment to treat inflammation and to control the risk of remission of the illness and development of colon cancer. However, patients tend to abandon medical treatment, especially during periods when the disease is in remission. Studies reveal that patient–physician communication patterns effect patient's health condition, illness perception, and utilization of health services. There is a lack of studies concerning IBD, and in those studies which exist, there is inconsistency among researchers about the specific components of these communication patterns.
Objectives: 1. To identify the doctor's communication pattern preferred by IBD patients.
2. To examine the correlation between doctor-patient communication patterns and A. Consumption of health services, B. Perception of the illness among these patients.
2. To examine the correlation between doctor-patient communication patterns and A. Consumption of health services, B. Perception of the illness among these patients.
Method: A total of 171 patients from the gastroenterology institutes were sampled at Soroka and Hadassah Ein Kerem medical centers. In addition, 32 in-depth interviews were conducted. all research tools were reliable and valid.
In the framework of utilization of health services, we examined: the number of visits to primary care physicians, consultants and nurses, psychotherapists, dietitians, and number of medical examinations (blood/imaging).
In the framework of utilization of health services, we examined: the number of visits to primary care physicians, consultants and nurses, psychotherapists, dietitians, and number of medical examinations (blood/imaging).
Findings: Patients’ preferred communication pattern was collaboration. Positive and negative associations were found between the communication patterns of collaboration, concern and interest and various components of the perception of the disease and the consumption of health services.
Conclusions: The communication patterns of collaboration, concern and interest are associated with the patient's illness perception and with consumption of health services.
Recommendations: Intervention programs for gastroenterologists, internal and family physicians should be developed in order to strengthen these communication patterns. This will probably result in a better patient care.
Research number: R/161/2015
Research end date: 02/2019