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The 'difficult patient' as perceived by family physicians
1Department of Family Medicine, Central Emek Hospital, Clalit Health Services, Afula, Israel.
Family Practice
|October 18, 2001
Summary
Family physicians find patients difficult not due to medical issues, but due to behavioral challenges. Developing communication skills and empathy helps manage these difficult patient encounters effectively.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Qualitative Health Research
- Family Medicine
Background:
- Understanding the family physician's perspective on 'difficult' patients is crucial for improving healthcare interactions.
- Previous research has not fully explored the lived experiences of physicians managing challenging patient behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To gain an in-depth understanding of the family physician's experience with patients perceived as 'difficult'.
- To explore the characteristics defining a 'difficult' patient from the physician's viewpoint.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative research employing the 'long interview' technique.
- 15 board-certified family physicians with over five years of experience were interviewed.
- Participants were recruited from the northern district of 'Clalit Health Services' in Israel.
Main Results:
- 'Difficult' patients are characterized by aggression, demands, rudeness, and secondary gain-seeking, rather than complex medical conditions.
- Patients with multiple non-specific or psychosomatic complaints also pose challenges.
- Physicians suggested enhanced communication skills, empathy, tolerance, and non-judgmental listening to ease difficult encounters.
Conclusions:
- Family physicians accept responsibility for managing 'difficult' patients and seek creative coping strategies.
- Increased physician experience correlates with a reduced perception of patients as 'difficult', indicating greater acceptance of behavioral diversity.
Keywords:
Professional Patient Relationship