Communication between Healthcare Consumers and Physicians An Analysis of Patient Satisfaction from an Attitude Survey
Kazunobu Yamauchi (Professor of Medical Management Informatics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine)
Toshiki Mano (Professor, Institute of Medical Risk Management, Tama University)
Yasuhiro Tsukahara (Professor, School of Information and Communication, Meiji University)
Hiromiko Fujisawa (Information Systems Office, Meiji University)
Haruhiko Nobayashi ( The Office of Pharmaceutical Industry Research Senior Researcher)
Naoya Fujiwara ( The Office of Pharmaceutical Industry Research Senior Researcher)
(No.29: Published July 2005)
In recent years, "communication between healthcare consumers and physicians" in the field of healthcare has been attracting attention amid calls for the realization of patient-centered healthcare and improvement of patient satisfaction. Focusing on this communication, this study conducted an awareness survey of both medical consumers and physicians (1,131 medical consumers and 1,101 physicians) to explore differences in their perceptions. Based on the data, we analyzed and discussed the perceptions of both parties regarding patient-centered healthcare, factors that influence the building of trusting relationships, factors that increase patient satisfaction, analysis of health literacy, and perceptions of both parties regarding decision-making in healthcare, from various angles.
The results revealed that there are significant differences between healthcare consumers and physicians in their ideas and perceptions about healthcare and drugs, and that these differences are the cause of the communication between the two parties. In order to realize patient-centered healthcare and increase patient satisfaction, it is important for healthcare consumers and physicians to understand these differences and come to terms with each other.