Related Experiment Videos
Physician as patient. The example of coronary angioplasty
Insights
Physicians undergoing coronary angioplasty had similar outcomes and in-hospital management compared to non-physicians. This study found no evidence that physicians are "worst patients" in this context.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Research
- Patient Behavior
Background:
- Physicians often exhibit unique patient behaviors.
- Anecdotal evidence suggests physicians may be difficult patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the outcomes and in-hospital management of physicians versus non-physicians undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.
- To investigate the validity of the "physicians are the worst patients" adage in the context of coronary angioplasty.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 43 physicians and 43 matched control patients (non-physicians).
- Matching criteria included sex, arteries attempted, and time of intervention.
- Baseline characteristics, immediate outcomes, and in-hospital management were analyzed.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in immediate outcomes or in-hospital management between physicians and control patients.
- Physicians reported more pain complaints than control patients.
- Complaints about care and nursing staff interactions were similar between groups.
Conclusions:
- The study did not substantiate the claim that physicians are the worst patients undergoing coronary angioplasty.
- Physician patient care and outcomes were not superior to those of control patients.
Abstract:
The outcome and behavior of 43 consecutive physicians undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty were compared to those of 43 control patients (non-physicians) matched for sex, arteries attempted, and time of intervention. As for baseline characteristics, the groups were similar but fewer physicians smoked or took beta-blockers and fewer control patients took calcium-blockers. The immediate outcome of both groups showed no significant differences. The in-hospital management was not different either except that physicians complained more often about pain than control patients. Complaints about care or complaints of the nursing personnel about patients were found with equal frequency in both groups. The saying that "physicians are the worst patients" could not be substantiated in the example of coronary angioplasty, yet neither were their care and outcome superior to those of control patients.