title: An overview of 19 instruments assessing the doctor-patient relationship: different models or concepts are used.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The doctor-patient relationship has been linked to patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and treatment outcome. Many different instruments have been developed to assess this relationship. The large variety makes it difficult to compare results of different studies and choose an instrument for future research. This review aims to provide an overview of the existing instruments assessing the doctor-patient relationship.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a systematic search in PubMed, PsychInfo, EMBASE, and Web of Science for questionnaires measuring the doctor-patient relationship. We appraised each instrument ascertaining the questionnaires focused on the doctor-patient relationship. We compared the content and psychometric characteristics of the instruments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found 19 instruments assessing the doctor-patient relationship. The instruments assess a variety of dimensions and use diverse conceptual models for the doctor-patient relationship. The instruments found also vary in terms to which they have been psychometrically tested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have provided an overview of 19 instruments assessing the doctor-patient relationship. The selection of an instrument for future research should be based on the model or conceptual basis of the doctor-patient relationship that is most applicable to the study objectives and the health care field in which it will be applied.
authors: Department of Primary and Community Medicine, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. R.Eveleigh@ELG.UMCN.NL
authors: Rhona M
authors: RM
authors: Eveleigh
authors: Esther
authors: E
authors: Muskens
authors: Hiske
authors: H
authors: van Ravesteijn
authors: Inge
authors: I
authors: van Dijk
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: van Rijswijk
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Lucassen
mesh_terms: D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome