How Medic-Patient Communication and Relationship Influence Chinese Patients' Treatment Adherence

The deterioration of medic-patient relation in China raises the question about its impact on patients' adherence to medical instructions. This study focuses on how the quantity and quality of medic-patient communication influences their relationship, and how the perceived relationship at individual level, institution level, and society level influences patients' treatment adherence, through a survey conducted in a city of Southern China (N = 597, Response rate = 66%). The results of path analysis show that consulting time is positively associated with patients' relationship with individual doctors and the whole medical system, as well as their satisfaction with hospital. Unpleasant experience of having disputes with medical workers is negatively associated with the medic-patient relationship at all of the three levels and causes conditional nonadherence. The more positive medic-patient relationship perceived by the patients, the more likely they will display unconditional adherence.