The doctor-patient relationship in US primary care.
Changes in the organization of primary care in the UK are driven by a need to improve access and availability, but doctor-patient relationships may suffer. To investigate the importance of such relationships in a different setting, we analysed focus-group data obtained in a primary care facility in the USA (Rochester, NY). The findings pointed to three key factors in these relationships-namely, an asymmetry of perceptions on the two sides, belying the notion of a meeting of experts; the importance on both sides of 'liking'; and the value set by both parties on development of trust. The last two of these factors are probably related to continuity of care, now under threat.
Lings
Pam
P
Institute of General Practice (now the Peninsula Medical School), School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Barrack Road, UK. pam.lings@pms.ac.uk
Evans
Philip
P
Seamark
David
D
Seamark
Clare
C
Sweeney
Kieran
K
Dixon
Michael
M
Gray
Denis Pereira
DP
D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009518:New York; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D035502:Trust