[Evaluation of the physician-patient relationship competence. Development and validation of an assessment instrument].
OBJECTIVE
To develop and validate the design of a grid that assesses doctor-patient relationship skills.


METHODS
Evaluation study of an assessment instrument.


METHODS
Private practices and family practice units.


METHODS
From a sample of volunteers, 100 family physicians either in private practice or in a family practice unit completed the proposed grid independently.


METHODS
The Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to analyze internal consistency. Factorial analysis was used to determine whether the grid's anticipated dimensions were in fact present.


RESULTS
The Cronbach alpha coefficient had a very high value (0.92), indicating that the items in the grid were highly homogeneous. Two key factors emerged from the factorial analysis; the first factor alone (understanding patients' experience) accounted for almost 42% of the variance.


CONCLUSIONS
The proposed grid presents some interesting metrologic qualities. It is short and relatively simple to use to assess relationship skills of future and practising family physicians. The grid must now be further validated using a variety of cases.
Département de médecine familiale à l'Université Laval. luc.cote@fmed.ulaval.ca
L
L
Côté
A
A
Savard
R
R
Bertrand
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003142:Communication; D004645:Empathy; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000592:standards; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D011331:Private Practice; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*