Patient-physician communication is essential for effective care of diabetes and other chronic diseases. However, the relative impact of general and disease-specific communication on self-management is poorly understood, as are the determinants of these two dimensions of communication. Seven hundred and fifty-two patients with diabetes were enrolled in the study. Fifty-two per cent were non-white, 18% had less than a high school education and 8% were predominantly Spanish-speaking. Patient ratings of general physician communication and diabetes-specific communication were measured using validated scales. Sociodemographically sensitive patients (racial and linguistic minorities and those with less education) reported that communication was as good or better than that reported by other patients. Patients receiving the majority of their diabetes care from their GP and patients with a longer primary care relationship reported better overall communication. Patients from district clinics reported better communication about diabetes than patients from university clinics. General and diabetes-specific communication are related but unique aspects of patient-doctor interaction.
Dimensions of patient-provider communication and diabetes self-care in an ethnically diverse population
18 December 2022