Clinician views on optimism and empathy in primary care consultations: a qualitative interview study.
Empathy
Primary Health Care
general practitioners
optimism
physician–patient relations
qualitative research
Journal
BJGP open
ISSN: 2398-3795
Titre abrégé: BJGP Open
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101713531
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Sep 2022
Sep 2022
Historique:
received:
25
11
2021
revised:
07
03
2022
accepted:
30
03
2022
pubmed:
6
4
2022
medline:
6
4
2022
entrez:
5
4
2022
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Practitioner expressions of optimism and empathy may improve treatment engagement, adherence, and patient satisfaction but are not delivered consistently amid the challenges of everyday clinical practice. To explore primary care practitioner (PCP) views about optimistic and empathic communication in consultations; and to identify behavioural, attitudinal, and/or contextual issues likely to encourage or deter PCPs from practising such communication. Qualitative interview study with 20 PCPs (GPs, practice nurses, and primary care physiotherapists). Semi-structured telephone interviews with 20 PCPs. Data were analysed thematically. A conceptual mismatch between optimism and patient expectations became apparent; when asked how PCPs communicate about the likely effects of a treatment, answers were focussed around managing patient expectations. When prompted, it became clear PCPs were open to communicating optimistically with patients, but emphasised the need for realism. Concerns arose that patients may not be receptive to optimistic messages, especially when holding negative expectations. PCPs felt that expressing empathy is fundamental to all clinical consultations, noting that it can be challenging. Some PCPs worried that increasing expressions of empathy might increase their risk of clinician burnout and felt guilty about (appropriately) communicating empathy while maintaining some emotional distance. PCPs agreed expressing realistic optimism during consultations could aid communication and would constitute a novel change to practice. PCPs strive for clinical empathy but can struggle to manage emotional self-protection. Specific training to help PCPs express realistic optimism and empathy, and better utilise efficient non-verbal skills could help these issues.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Practitioner expressions of optimism and empathy may improve treatment engagement, adherence, and patient satisfaction but are not delivered consistently amid the challenges of everyday clinical practice.
AIM
OBJECTIVE
To explore primary care practitioner (PCP) views about optimistic and empathic communication in consultations; and to identify behavioural, attitudinal, and/or contextual issues likely to encourage or deter PCPs from practising such communication.
DESIGN & SETTING
METHODS
Qualitative interview study with 20 PCPs (GPs, practice nurses, and primary care physiotherapists).
METHOD
METHODS
Semi-structured telephone interviews with 20 PCPs. Data were analysed thematically.
RESULTS
RESULTS
A conceptual mismatch between optimism and patient expectations became apparent; when asked how PCPs communicate about the likely effects of a treatment, answers were focussed around managing patient expectations. When prompted, it became clear PCPs were open to communicating optimistically with patients, but emphasised the need for realism. Concerns arose that patients may not be receptive to optimistic messages, especially when holding negative expectations. PCPs felt that expressing empathy is fundamental to all clinical consultations, noting that it can be challenging. Some PCPs worried that increasing expressions of empathy might increase their risk of clinician burnout and felt guilty about (appropriately) communicating empathy while maintaining some emotional distance.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
PCPs agreed expressing realistic optimism during consultations could aid communication and would constitute a novel change to practice. PCPs strive for clinical empathy but can struggle to manage emotional self-protection. Specific training to help PCPs express realistic optimism and empathy, and better utilise efficient non-verbal skills could help these issues.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35379688
pii: BJGPO.2021.0221
doi: 10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0221
pmc: PMC9680746
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022, The Authors.
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