title: The effect of depression on physician-patient communication among Hispanic end-stage renal disease patients.
abstract: End-stage renal disease is associated with increased level of depression. Depression is associated with a reduction in the ability of people to effectively communicate in interpersonal settings. The interaction between end-stage renal disease patients and their physicians has important implications for the course of the treatment of this disease; however, there is limited research examining the influence of depression on general patient-physician communication. This study examines the association between depression and physician-patient communication in a sample of Hispanic end-stage renal disease patients. Participating patients filled out the Beck Depression Inventory and self-reported their feelings about meeting with physicians. Patients then met with a physician, and a nurse practitioner observed the interaction. Results indicate that depression was negatively associated with patients' self-reported perceptions of their readiness for the appointment (r =-.20) and with self-reported communication efficacy (r =-.19). Moreover, the nurse practitioner rated patients with depression as being significantly less likely (a) to ask for clarification (r =-.40), (b) to be engaged in the conversation (r =-.46), and (c) to be forthcoming with the physician (r =-.37). Results of this study have significant implications for communication between physicians and end-stage renal disease patients and for the influence of depression on patient-physician communication.
authors: Department of Psychology, School of Behavioral and Organizational Sciences, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, California, USA.
authors: Amelia Victoria
authors: AV
authors: Gonzalez
authors: Jason T
authors: JT
authors: Siegel
authors: Eusebio M
authors: EM
authors: Alvaro
authors: Erin Keely
authors: EK
authors: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000523:psychology; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D057566:Self Report; D055815:Young Adult