Abstract 44: Persons living with diabetes in India – Their experiences and expectations from the physician

Abstract

Background and Aims: Research in India underscores the need for and the benefits of communication skills training for physicians treating patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Yet, none of this research emerges from patients’ perspectives on physician communication. Therefore, this study explored the experiences of and expectations from the physician among persons living with T2DM.Methods: Using convenience sampling, 11 patients (female=7; mean age=48 years) participated in a focus group discussion. The questions were aimed at eliciting patients’ narratives regarding their interactions with their physician during the medical encounter, with specific focus on the latter's communication. The transcribed data was analysed using conventional content analysis.Results: Two broad themes were developed: (i) patients know what they want from their physician and (ii) plethora of negative feelings: the effects of verbal and nonverbal communication styles.Conclusions: The physician-patient interaction elicited a range of negative experiences from the patient, including anger, anxiety, stress and fear. Patients were, nonetheless, able to identify clear expectations of their physician for both verbal and nonverbal communication which would be better received and result in improved patient adherence. Therefore, this study points to the need for, benefits of a communication skills training programme for Indian physicians.