A caring partnership: expectations of ageing persons with disabilities for their primary care doctors.
BACKGROUND
The population of individuals who are ageing with a disability is growing rapidly, yet we know little about their views of their primary care and family physicians.


METHODS
In this qualitative study using a modified form of life history interviewing, 30 older respondents with a variety of disabilities discussed their past and current relationships with physicians.


RESULTS
Data analysis identified as the primary theme of these interviews the importance of establishing a caring partnership between patient and physician. Important subthemes included physician avoidance of assumptions and stereotypes about persons with disabilities, physician commitment to patient well-being balanced by a capacity for keeping the disability in perspective, and the relationship between the need for physician specialized knowledge and the necessity of acknowledging patient expertise. Certain patient characteristics such as self-reliance and assertiveness also emerged as significant influences.


CONCLUSIONS
A partnership with primary care/family physicians that communicates concern while avoiding stereotyping and recognizing patient expertise is important for many patients ageing with a disability.
Shapiro
Johanna
J
Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of California-Irvine, UC Irvine Medical Center, 101 City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868, USA. jfshapir@uci.edu
Mosqueda
Laura
L
Botros
Danny
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D004645:Empathy; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations