Investigating the Patient-Physician Relationship in Specialized Outpatient Clinics of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MSc, Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

2 BSc Student, Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

3 Instructor, Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

4 Associate Professor, Department of Health Services Management, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

Background: Good patient-physician relationship is a factor that can enhance the efficiency of medical services. This study aimed to investigate the patient-physician relationship in specialized outpatient clinics affiliated with Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 275 patients who visited specialized outpatient clinics of Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences in 2019. The data in this study were collected using the Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9). Data were analyzed using SPSS22 software with the Pearson correlation coefficient and independent samples t-test.
Results: The patients’ satisfaction with their relationship with the physician was reported to be moderate (33.92±6.80 out of 45). The highest score (4.13±0.83 out of 5) was related to the item “I trust my doctor” and the lowest score (2.84±1.16 out of 5) was related to the item “I find my doctor easily accessible”. There was a significant and negative relation between the patients’ satisfaction with the relationship with the physician and wait time and a significant and positive relation with the duration of the visit. The mean visit and the mean wait time were 13.7±11.1 and 90±57.8 minutes, respectively. Besides, the patients’ satisfaction with communication with physicians had a significant relation with the type of clinic (P = 0.032).
Conclusion: To improve the patient-physician relationship, it is essential to take some management measures to reduce patients’ wait time, comply with standard visit time, improve environmental conditions, and empower physicians to enhance communication skills.

Keywords

Health and Development Journal
Volume 10, Issue 2
May 2021
Pages 119-126

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 August 2020
  • Revise Date: 24 August 2021
  • Accept Date: 14 August 2021

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