Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: It was investigated that high cost of medical care is the key issue (52%) of the current tense of physician-patient relationship in China based on the recent report (in Nov. 2004) on 2000 citizens by random sampling in 20 cities. Lacking of appropriate communication skills between physician and patient adds the tense situation even worse. To improve the physician-patient relationship, we conducted two surveys in 2003 and 2004.
Objective: To investigate baseline data of current attitudes of patients and physicians to a treatment decision, and thus to perceive barriers in between, and thoughts of overcoming these barriers are recommended.
Method: 300 questionnaires were distributed to inpatients in five different departments of the largest hospital in the country in 2003 and 380 questionnaires were distributed to health care professionals in 21 provinces in 65 different specialties in 6 national workshops and lectures. The contents of surveys mainly reflected on reliable evidence, desire to communication, patient involving in a treatment and physician eliciting patient's preferences etc. Statistical software such as SPASS10.0 and Microsoft Excel were applied.
Results: 254 feedback from patients and 280 from physicians; 85% patients and 90 % physicians hoped to learn best evidence; 87% patients hoped best evidence would be provided by their physicians, while 57% physicians found it difficult to do so for their patients; 59% patients liked to spend more time to communicate with their physicians, while 52% physicians thought lacking of enough time; 61% patients worried about the effectiveness of treatment, while 50% physicians having difficulties telling uncertainties of treatment to patients; 93% patients hoped to be involved in a treatment decision, while 40% physicians did not know how to elicit patientÂ’s preference in a treatment.
Conclusion: Times have changed now, though slowly in China. A better educated population, exposed through a variety of media to the idea of choice when they come to see doctors. Patients are demanding greater participation in their decision making. Physicians need to learn the real meaning of patient decision making including how patient use evidence, how to elicit and measure patient preferences, how to develop effective communication skill etc.
Objective: To investigate baseline data of current attitudes of patients and physicians to a treatment decision, and thus to perceive barriers in between, and thoughts of overcoming these barriers are recommended.
Method: 300 questionnaires were distributed to inpatients in five different departments of the largest hospital in the country in 2003 and 380 questionnaires were distributed to health care professionals in 21 provinces in 65 different specialties in 6 national workshops and lectures. The contents of surveys mainly reflected on reliable evidence, desire to communication, patient involving in a treatment and physician eliciting patient's preferences etc. Statistical software such as SPASS10.0 and Microsoft Excel were applied.
Results: 254 feedback from patients and 280 from physicians; 85% patients and 90 % physicians hoped to learn best evidence; 87% patients hoped best evidence would be provided by their physicians, while 57% physicians found it difficult to do so for their patients; 59% patients liked to spend more time to communicate with their physicians, while 52% physicians thought lacking of enough time; 61% patients worried about the effectiveness of treatment, while 50% physicians having difficulties telling uncertainties of treatment to patients; 93% patients hoped to be involved in a treatment decision, while 40% physicians did not know how to elicit patientÂ’s preference in a treatment.
Conclusion: Times have changed now, though slowly in China. A better educated population, exposed through a variety of media to the idea of choice when they come to see doctors. Patients are demanding greater participation in their decision making. Physicians need to learn the real meaning of patient decision making including how patient use evidence, how to elicit and measure patient preferences, how to develop effective communication skill etc.