Does a Physician's Attitude toward a Patient with Mental Illness Affect Clinical Management of Diabetes? Results from...

To determine whether physician's attitudes toward patients with comorbid mental illness affect management of a chronic disease.

A total of 256 primary care physicians interviewed in 2010.

This randomized factorial experiment entailed physicians observing video vignettes of patient-actors with poorly controlled diabetes. Patients were balanced across age, gender, race, and comorbidity (schizophrenia with bizarre or normal affect, depression, eczema).

Physicians completed structured and semistructured interviews plus chart notes about clinical management and attitudes.

Physicians reported more negative attitudes for patients with schizophrenia with bizarre affect (SBA). There were few differences in clinical decisions measured quantitatively or in charting, but qualitative data revealed less trust of patients with SBA as reporters, with more reliance on sources other than engaging the patient in care. Physicians often alerted colleagues about SBA, thereby shaping expectations before interactions occurred.

Results are consistent with common stereotypes about people with serious mental illness. Vignettes did not include intentional indication of unreliable reporting or danger. Reducing health care disparities requires attention to subtle aspects of managing patients--particularly those with atypical affect--as seemingly slight differences could engender disparate patient experiences over time.