HEALTH-RELATED ANXIETY, DOCTOR–PATIENT RELATIONSHIP, AND COMMUNICATIONS IN LATE LIFE

Abstract

Abstract The relationship and communication between doctor and patient have important implications for the quality of health care received in old age. However, their role in health-related anxiety among older patients has received limited attention. In this paper, we explored the association between doctor-patient communication and doctor-patient relationship with health-related anxiety among 661 independent, retirement community-dwelling older adults. The mean age of the respondents was 77.81 years, and the majority (60.54 percent) were women. Our findings show a negative association between health–related anxiety and the doctor-patient relationship (b=-11, p<.05). We also found a negative association between satisfaction with communication and health-related anxiety (b=-.09, p<.05). The relationship between health-related anxiety and doctor-patient relationship and doctor-patient communication remains even after controlling for covariates. Older adults who reported better communication and relationship with their physician had lower health-related anxiety. Compared to Blacks, Whites had significantly lower health-related anxiety (b=-.80, p<.05). For every additional chronic condition, health-related anxiety increased by 0.22 (p< 05). Gender, education, and age, however, were not associated with health anxiety. Overall, our findings support the hypothesis that better doctor-patient relationships and communication are associated with lower health-related anxiety among community-dwelling older adults.