Patient preference for and reports of provider behavior: impact of symmetry on patient outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
Research has suggested that congruence between patient characteristics and contextual characteristics is a more robust predictor of outcomes than either patient or context characteristics alone. The goal of the present study was to examine the degree of congruence between patient preferences for the clinical encounter and reports of analogous dimensions of provider behavior and the effects of this congruence on patient outcomes.


METHODS
Two hundred eighteen patients with diabetes (predominately Type II) completed measures of preference for and ratings of perceived provider behavior in three domains (1) information sharing, (2) behavioral involvement, and (3) socioemotional support.


METHODS
Patient satisfaction, self-reported adherence, and a clinical marker of diabetic control (hemoglobin A1c) were the outcomes of interest.


RESULTS
Congruence in information sharing and congruence in behavioral involvement were predictive of glycemic control and self-reported adherence, respectively. Congruence in behavioral involvement and congruence in socioemotional support were predictive of greater patient satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings provide further support for the importance of congruence between patient characteristics and contextual characteristics in predicting patient outcomes.
Cvengros
Jamie A
JA
Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, USA. jamie_cvengros@rush.edu
Christensen
Alan J
AJ
Cunningham
Cassie
C
Hillis
Steven L
SL
Kaboli
Peter J
PJ
D000368:Aged; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D057240:Patient Preference; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires