Over the past two decades, the doctor-patient relationship has become an integral part of the treatment of patients with a myriad of conditions. The psychological, emotional and behavioural dimensions of patient-physician collaboration, as well as patients' attachment styles, were examined in relation to rheumatology patients' adherence to treatment plans, outcome expectations and satisfaction. Participants in the study were 101 adult rheumatology outpatients. Pathway analyses showed that the doctor-patient working alliance predicted outcome expectations and patient satisfaction, and patient satisfaction in turn predicted patient adherence. The doctor-patient working alliance directly predicted patient satisfaction and outcome expectations, and indirectly predicted adherence to recommendations through patient satisfaction.
The physician-patient working alliance and patient psychological attachment, adherence, outcome expectations, and satisfaction in a sample of rheumatology patients
16 December 2022