THE EFFECTS OF PHYSICIAN COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS ON PATIENT SATISFACTION - RECALL, AND ADHERENCE

An understanding of means to improve patient adherence to the therapeutic regimen is a subject of increasing concern in medical care. The effect of physician interpersonal skills and teaching on patient satisfaction, recall and adherence to the regimen was examined. The ambulatory visits of 63 patients to 5 medical residents at a teaching hospital in Baltimore [Maryland, USA] were studied. Quality of interpersonal skills influenced patient outcomes more than quantity of teaching and instruction. All the effects of physician communication skills on patient adherence are mediated by patient satisfaction and recall. The physician might pay particular attention to these 2 variables in trying to improve patient adherence, and enhancing patient satisfaction may be pivotal to the care of patients with chronic illness.