Patient-centred care in an occupational medicine clinic

Patient-centred care (PCC) has been associated with improved patient satisfaction outcomes in a variety of clinical settings. There is a paucity of research addressing the concept of PCC in an occupational medicine context.

To assess patient perception and compare physician and patient perceptions of patient centredness of the care at a specialty occupational medicine clinic.

An observational study design using the Patient Perception of Patient Centeredness Questionnaire (PPPC) at an ambulatory tertiary care occupational health clinic. Results were analysed using a standardized coding system. Summary scores were compared to results reported in a primary care setting. Patient and physician scores were compared to detect physician-patient differences in perceived patient centredness of care.

Of 47 eligible patients 37 consented to participate and seven were excluded due to incomplete data. Summary scores of patient perceptions of patient centredness were similar but somewhat better than scores reported in a primary care setting. Perceived patient centredness of care was high and there was minimal discordance between patient and physician scores.

This study demonstrated that PCC can be measured in an occupational health setting. In an ambulatory tertiary care occupational health clinic there was a high degree of patient centredness of care which may be explained by a variety of factors. Future research should consider whether similar findings exist in other occupational medicine practice settings.