Physician-patient communication in single-bedded versus four-bedded hospital rooms.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether physician-patient communication in multi-bedded rooms differs from communication in single rooms during ward rounds.


METHODS
Ward rounds in single-bedded patient rooms and ward rounds in four-bedded rooms were audiotaped and analyzed with an adapted version of MIARS. The researcher completed an observational checklist of each encounter. We measured: the duration of speech time, the types of verbal and nonverbal communication, the extent to which patients and physicians raise intimate subjects.


RESULTS
Encounters during ward rounds in single rooms significantly took up more time than encounters in four-bedded rooms. The patients asked more questions and made more remarks in single rooms compared to four-bedded rooms. Empathic reactions of the physician were scored significantly more often in single rooms than in four-bedded rooms. No differences were observed concerning the extent to which intimate subjects were brought up.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is the first that investigated this subject. Findings suggest that single rooms contribute positively to physician-patient communication.


CONCLUSIONS
The research findings indicate the relevance of taking account of the context in which physician-patient communication takes place.
van de Glind
Irene
I
Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus Medical Center, Postbus 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. i.vandeglind@hubbub.nl
van Dulmen
Sandra
S
Goossensen
Anne
A
D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010362:Patients' Rooms; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D013997:Time Factors