[The patient-centered interview and the way it is taught. What do family physicians who have recently received their degree think?].
OBJECTIVE
To describe how family physicians perceive the patient-centred interview (PCI) and the way in which it is taught during residency training.


METHODS
Mailed survey.


METHODS
Family physicians from a variety of practice settings in Quebec.


METHODS
Ninety-one family physicians who graduated from Laval University between 1996 and 1998.


METHODS
Survey was conducted in 1999 using the modified Dillman method. The original questionnaire had mainly open-ended questions on perception of the PCI and learning activities associated with it during residency training. All qualitative data were subject to content analysis using triangulation strategies.


RESULTS
A PCI mainly involves exploring patients' experience of their illnesses; this helps physicians to better understand patients. Patients are more content with this type of interview and are, therefore, more likely to follow physicians' recommendations. Respondents reported the main drawback to be longer interview times; this was particularly true for emergency and walk-in care. The most useful learning activities during residency were reported to be supervision by direct observation and observation of supervisor-patient consultations.


CONCLUSIONS
Patient-centred interviews enabled physicians to understand and help their patients better. Results of this study can help teachers who are developing and consolidating activities to teach residents how to conduct PCIs and how to integrate them into practice.
Côté
Luc
L
Département de médecine familiale, Centre de développement pédagogique, Faculté de médecine, l'Université Laval à Ste-Foy, Québec. luc.cote@fmed.ulaval.ca
Bélanger
Norma
N
Blais
Johanne
J
D003625:Data Collection; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations