WHAT ARE THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THE PATIENT AND THE PHYSICIAN?

Abstract

In this review study, the factors affecting the interaction between the patient and the physician were investigated and the studies in this context were taken into consideration for evaluation. The results of the investigations showed that the factors such as values, beliefs and opinions, gender of physicians, cognitive characteristics, behavior of physicians, race and ethnicity, social styles of patients, health status, informed consent, physician image, personal characteristics of patients and patient relatives have a significant effect in this regard. In the studies we reviewed, important findings were found to be highlighted under these headings. In particular, it was found that female physicians establish more empathy, that physicians with better cognitive characteristics are more effective in interaction, that well-informing the patient is beneficial, that nonverbal communication should be given importance in addition to verbal communication, that a good communication should be established with patient relatives, and that patient beliefs should be taken into consideration. In addition, elderly patients, patients with low literacy levels, and male patients were found to have more trouble in the interaction with physicians.