Hypochondriacal symptoms associated with a less therapeutic physician-patient relationship.
The purpose of this study was to examine the association between hypochondriacal symptoms and the physician-patient relationship. Family medicine patients (n = 310) completed self-report measures of hypochondriacal symptoms, quality of physician-patient relationship, and variables likely to influence that relationship. These variables included physician relationship factors, such as duration of relationship and frequency of visits, as well as patient characteristics, such as neuroticism and positive and negative affectivity. Hypochondriacal symptoms were negatively correlated (r = -.24) with the quality of physician-patient relationship. In addition to hypochondriacal symptoms, the regression model included having a primary physician, length of relationship with that physician, frequency of physician visits, and the level of positive affectivity in the patient. Hypochondriacal symptoms appear to be associated with a less therapeutic physician-patient relationship. Physicians must recognize symptoms of this kind in order to properly address the relationship needs of their patients.
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, College of Public Health at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1000, USA. russell-noyes@uiowa.edu
Russell
R
Noyes
Susan L
SL
Longley
Douglas R
DR
Langbehn
Scott P
SP
Stuart
Oladipo A
OA
Kukoyi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires