The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of using a Competency-based Achievement System (CBAS) (a formative tool) in the practice ready assessment (PRA) of internationally-trained physicians seeking licensure to practice in Canada (summative assessment). The study was a retrospective analysis of over 5,000 FieldNotes completed…

Patient's nonadherence to treatment is one of the most serious issues for modern medicine. WHO experts in the guideline [6] thoroughly analyze the reasons for poor adherence to long-term therapy and outline a wide range of factors influencing adherence to long-term therapy. At that it is emphasized that none of those factors is decisive. It…

Teaching and assessing doctor-patient communication has become a priority in medical education. This pilot study evaluated resident physicians' perceptions of teaching and assessing doctor-patient communication skills related to pain management using a web-based format. Fifty-nine resident physicians completed four doctor-patient clinical…

Based on Beisecker's earlier finding that patients over age 60 brought companions to their medical appointments more often than did patients aged 25-59, a study was conducted to examine the role of the companion. Eleven of 21 patients aged 60-85 brought companions. Companions were either spouses or adult children of the patients. Within this…

The fact that many states have passed elder abuse reporting laws has left care providers with a dilemma. If suspected abuse is reported, the relationship between caregiver and patient may change and the family's difficulties may increase. Indicators of abuse are not easy to differentiate from health problems, especially in the frail elderly. An…

This paper describes a Patient Satisfaction survey and database used to measure and report on physician performance at the Ohio State University Health System (OSUHS). The OSUHS averages 6,000 inpatients in any given month, and more than 7,000 emergency patients and 70,000 outpatient encounters. Data from the Patient Satisfaction measures are…

Presents a lecture delivered in July 1999 at a meeting on Communication in Medicine, underscoring the increasing importance of educating to ensure effective communication between health care providers and their patients. Among the factors cited are the decreasing amount of time available, the escalating complexity of medical information and…

A study examined the effectiveness of a method designed to increase active patient involvement in the health care context. Subjects, 38 patients visiting a three-physician dermatology practice one randomly selected morning, were asked to fill out a survey at the end of their visit. Half of the subjects were asked to read a "communication…

A study examined the types and amounts of information expectant mothers need during their pregnancy, as well as their satisfaction with their physicians. Seventy women who had given birth within the previous 4 years completed a questionnaire eliciting information they received during pregnancy, their satisfaction with their physician, and…

While research strongly suggests that social support can be effective in helping patients increase their compliance with medical regimens, many more specific questions remain unanswered. These include: (1) how are physicians using social support in an effective manner; (2) what are the most effective ways for physicians and their office staff to…

Eighteen conversations between patients and nurses or physicians were videotaped to examine patterns that the interactants followed to maintain dominant or recessive roles. Physicians/nurses were viewed as the dominant interactants because of their greater control in the hospital setting whereas patients were viewed as the recessive interactants…

A frequent complaint about the quality of health care delivery is that physicians often do not listen to their patients in consultation sessions. Studies indicate physicians show a tendency to listen only to patient discourse that the examiners had initiated, and to ignore questions and comments that the patients had initiated; that physicians…

Faculty members at the University of Iowa noticed that freshmen dental students seemed to lack, or temporarily forget, some commonly accepted social skills in making proper introductions during the stress of their first patient contact. A videotape was developed to reinforce rules of etiquette for introductions in a professional setting. (MLW)

Presents a lecture delivered in July 1999 at a meeting on Communication in Medicine. Discusses the importance of aligning medical education with societal needs, practice patterns, and scientific developments. Stresses that clinicians must have good communication skills and be able to use those skills in the care of their patients. (Author/GCP)

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been receiving considerable attention by the medical community as well as by the public. This attention is due to the rapid increase in cases of AIDS, the uncertain etiology of the disease, and the poor prognosis of the disease. Although some research has investigated the psychological impact of AIDS…