First impressions in complementary practice: the importance of environment, dress and address to the therapeutic relationship

Non-specific effects of acupuncture and sham acupuncture in clinical trials from the patient's perspective: a systematic review of qualitative evidence

BACKGROUND

Previous clinical trials have demonstrated that both acupuncture and sham acupuncture exert significant, non-specific effects on treatment outcomes when compared to no-treatment controls. A recently developed framework (mechanisms in orthodox and complementary and alternative medicine-MOCAM) suggests that the non-specific effects of acupuncture originate from multiple domains (e.g. patient characteristics, acupuncturist skill/technique, the patient-acupuncturist relationship, and the acupuncture environment). However, it remains to be determined precisely how these domains influence the non-specific effects of treatment among patients receiving acupuncture and sham acupuncture in clinical trials. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to synthesize existing qualitative evidence on how trial participants randomized to acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups experience non-specific effects, regardless of the types of medical condition investigated.

METHODS

This systematic review included primary qualitative studies embedded in randomized controlled trials designed to investigate acupuncture or sham acupuncture interventions. Eligible studies published in English were derived from a search of five international databases. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. Using a framework synthesis approach, the identified MOCAM framework was adapted based on the synthesis of the available qualitative evidence.

RESULTS

A total of 20 studies of high methodological quality were included. Our proposed model indicated that the effects of acupuncture may be increased by maintaining a professional status, applying a holistic treatment approach, practicing empathy, and providing patients with an appropriate explanation of the theory behind acupuncture and sham acupuncture. From the patient's perspective, the efficacy of treatment can be increased by following the lifestyle modification advice provided by acupuncturists, maintaining a positive attitude toward treatment efficacy, actively engaging with acupuncturists during consultation, and making behavioral changes based on experience gained during the trial.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study may provide a basis for improving and standardizing key components of non-specific effects in acupuncture treatment, and for improving the isolation of specific effects in future clinical trials involving acupuncture and sham acupuncture.

Patient, client, consumer, survivor or other alternatives? A scoping review of preferred terms for labelling individuals who access healthcare across settings

OBJECTIVES

Use of the term 'patient' has been recently debated, compared with alternatives including 'consumer' and 'client'. This scoping study aimed to provide an integrated view of preferred labels across healthcare contexts and countries to clarify labelling preferences of individuals accessing healthcare.

DESIGN

Scoping study.

DATA SOURCES

A preliminary literature search using GoogleScholar, Medline, Embase and PsycINFO found 43 key papers discussing terminology for labelling individuals accessing healthcare services. We then used citation chaining with PubMed and GoogleScholar to identify studies discussing term preferences among healthcare recipients.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

No date limits were applied, and all healthcare settings were considered. Primary research studies examining terminology preferences of individuals accessing healthcare, published in peer-reviewed journals were eligible.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

All authors extracted data regarding preferred term and study characteristics, and assessed reporting quality of the studies using criteria relevant to our design.

RESULTS

We identified 1565 articles, of which 47 met inclusion criteria. Six articles that examined preference for personal address (eg, first name) were excluded. Of the remaining 41 studies, 33 examined generic terms ('patient', 'client', 'consumer') and 8 focused on cancer survivorship. Of the 33 examining generic terms, 27 reported a preference for 'patient' and four for 'client'. Samples preferring 'client' were typically based in mental health settings and conducted in the USA. Of the eight cancer survivorship studies, five found a preference for 'survivor', and three 'someone who had had cancer'.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, healthcare recipients appear to prefer the term 'patient', with few preferring 'consumer'. Within general clinical and research contexts, it therefore seems appropriate to continue using the label 'patient' in the absence of knowledge about an individual's preferences. Reasons for preferences (eg, familiarity, social identity) and the implications of labelling for healthcare have not been investigated adequately, necessitating future empirical (including qualitative) research.

Empathic nonverbal behavior increases ratings of both warmth and competence in a medical context

In medicine, it is critical that clinicians demonstrate both empathy (perceived as warmth) and competence. Perceptions of these qualities are often intuitive and are based on nonverbal behavior. Emphasizing both warmth and competence may prove problematic, however, because there is evidence that they are inversely related in other settings. We hypothesize that perceptions of physician competence will instead be positively correlated with perceptions of physician warmth and empathy, potentially due to changing conceptions of the physician’s role. We test this hypothesis in an analog medical context using a large online sample, manipulating physician nonverbal behaviors suggested to communicate empathy (e.g. eye contact) and competence (the physician’s white coat). Participants rated physicians displaying empathic nonverbal behavior as more empathic, warm, and more competent than physicians displaying unempathic nonverbal behavior, adjusting for mood. We found no warmth/competence tradeoff and, additionally, no significant effects of the white coat. Further, compared with male participants, female participants perceived physicians displaying unempathic nonverbal behavior as less empathic. Given the significant consequences of clinician empathy, it is important for clinicians to learn how nonverbal behavior contributes to perceptions of warmth, and use it as another tool to improve their patients’ emotional and physical health.

The Effect of Dressing Styles and Attitudes of Psychiatrists on Treatment Preferences: Comparison between Patients and Psychiatrists

INTRODUCTION

Recently, different dressing styles and attitudes of psychiatrists have been proposed to enhance the interaction between patients and the physician. The aim of the present study was to investigate the preferences of dressing style and attitudes of a psychiatrist of the patients referred to an outpatient psychiatry clinic and the perception of psychiatrists regarding the preferences of the patients.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty-three patients referred to the outpatient psychiatry clinic of the Bülent Ecevit University School of Medicine, and 94 psychiatrists have been included in the present study.

RESULTS

When the images of psychiatrists were evaluated in terms of referral for treatment, trust in treatment, and willingness to share their confidential matters, both groups gave minimum scores to causal/sports dress style. While psychiatrists preferred to dress in a suit, casuals, and white coat, the preference order was white coat, casual dress, and suit in the patient group. There was a significant difference between the groups with respect to three dressing styles.

CONCLUSION

It can be suggested that psychiatrists assume that patients are traditional in terms of their preference of the dressing style of a doctor and doctor-patient relationship, and a white coat is important to enhance the treatment adherence of patients.

Importance of physicians' attire: factors influencing the impression it makes on patients, a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to determine the importance of physician attire in inspiring confidence in patients, patient preferences and factors influencing the impression made by the clothing worn by doctors.

METHODS

Self-administered questionnaires were distributed and completed in five pharmacies across Japan (April-October 2012) to patients or their carers (aged ≥20 years). The survey was performed over 2 consecutive days in each pharmacy. To estimate patient confidence in doctors, questions were asked addressing six items, namely doctors' attire, speech (way of speaking, volume, tone etc.), age, gender, title (professor, PhD etc.) and reputation. Participants were shown photographs of five different types of attire for male and female doctors (i.e. white coats, scrubs, semiformal, smart casual and casual wear) and asked to rate the appropriateness of each clothing style using a five-point Likert scale.

RESULTS

Of the 1411 patients or carers who attended the pharmacies, 530 responded to the questionnaire, with 491 complete responses used in subsequent analyses. The mean age of respondents was 51.9 years and 40.3% were male. Speech was the most important factor (mean score 4.60) in determining confidence in doctors, followed by reputation (4.06) and attire (4.00). With regard to attire, regardless of a doctor's gender, the white coat was judged to be the most appropriate style of dress, followed by surgical scrubs. Only the preference for scrubs was significantly affected by age, gender and region (P < 0.05). Using binomial logistic regression analysis, we evaluated the effects of age on the appropriateness (Likert score 3-5) versus inappropriateness (score 1-2) of scrubs. There was a significant increase in the number of subjects aged 50-64 and >65 years of age who thought scrubs were inappropriate compared with those aged 20-34 years (adjusted odds ratios of 4.30 and 12.7 for male doctors, and 3.66 and 6.91 for female doctors).

CONCLUSIONS

Attire is one of the important factor that inspires patient confidence in physicians. White coats were deemed the most appropriate clothing style for doctors, followed by scrubs. However, older participants perceived scrubs to be less appropriate attire than younger subjects.

Ayurveda: between religion, spirituality, and medicine

Ayurveda is playing a growing part in Europe. Questions regarding the role of religion and spirituality within Ayurveda are discussed widely. Yet, there is little data on the influence of religious and spiritual aspects on its European diffusion. Methods. A survey was conducted with a new questionnaire. It was analysed by calculating frequency variables and testing differences in distributions with the χ (2)-Test. Principal Component Analyses with Varimax Rotation were performed. Results. 140 questionnaires were analysed. Researchers found that individual religious and spiritual backgrounds influence attitudes and expectations towards Ayurveda. Statistical relationships were found between religious/spiritual backgrounds and decisions to offer/access Ayurveda. Accessing Ayurveda did not exclude the simultaneous use of modern medicine and CAM. From the majority's perspective Ayurveda is simultaneously a science, medicine, and a spiritual approach. Conclusion. Ayurveda seems to be able to satisfy the individual needs of therapists and patients, despite worldview differences. Ayurvedic concepts are based on anthropologic assumptions including different levels of existence in healing approaches. Thereby, Ayurveda can be seen in accordance with the prerequisites for a Whole Medical System. As a result of this, intimate and individual therapist-patient relationships can emerge. Larger surveys involving bigger participant numbers with fully validated questionnaires are warranted to support these results.

Do not judge according to appearance: patients' preference of a doctor's face does not influence their assessment of the patient-doctor relationship

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a patient's preference for a doctor's face is associated with better assessments of relational empathy in the patient-doctor relationship after the first clinical consultation.

METHODS

A total of 110 patients enrolled in a traditional Korean medical clinic participated in the study. Patients' preference for doctors' faces was assessed by a two alternative forced choice (2AFC) task, with 60 different pairs of six different Asian male doctors' faces. One of the six doctors then carried out the initial clinical consultation for these patients. The patient-doctor relationship was assessed using the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) measure.

RESULTS

The data of all patients' simulated preferences for a doctor's face and their assessment values of a doctor's relational empathy was compared, and no significant correlation was found between both values (r=-0.024, p>0.809).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the perceived empathy in the patient-doctor relationship is not influenced by the patient's preference for a certain doctor's face. The first impression of a doctor is often determined by his appearance and look. However, whether or not the patient particularly prefers a doctor's face does not seem to matter in developing a good patient-doctor relationship.

Forging convictions: the effects of active participation in a clinical trial

This qualitative study explored non-specific influences on participation in, and outcomes of, a randomised controlled trial. It was nested within a single-blind clinical trial of western acupuncture which compared real acupuncture with two types of placebo control administered to National Health Service (NHS) patients awaiting hip and knee replacement surgery in England. Data collection (2004-2008) was based on narrative-style interviews and participant observation. The results indicate that trial recruitment and retention depend on a set of convictions forged largely as a result of contextual factors peripheral to the intervention, including the friendliness and helpfulness of research centre staff and status of the administering practitioner. These convictions also influence the reporting of the study outcomes, particularly if participants experience uncertainties when choosing an appropriate response. The findings suggest that participants in clinical trials are actively involved in shaping the research process, rather than passive recipients of treatment. Thus the outcomes of trials, notably those involving contact interventions, should be regarded not as matters of fact, but as products of complex environmental, social, interpretive and biological processes. In this paper, we develop and present a 'theory of active research participation' which offers a framework for understanding the impact of non-specific processes in clinical trials.

Patients' preferences for doctors' attire in Japan

OBJECTIVE

Physicians' attire is one important factor to enhance the physician-patient relationship. However, there are few studies that examine patients' preferences for physicians' attire in Japan. We sought to assess patients' preference regarding doctors' attire and to assess the influence of doctors' attire on patients' confidence in their physician. Furthermore, we examined whether patients' preferences would change among various clinical situations.

METHODS

Employing a cross-sectional design, Japanese outpatients chosen over one week in October 2008 from waiting rooms in various outpatient departments at St. Luke's International Hospital, Tokyo, were given a 10-item questionnaire. A 5-point Likert scale was used to estimate patient preference for four types of attire in both male and female physicians, including semi-formal attire, white coat, surgical scrubs, and casual wear. In addition, a 4-point Likert Scale was used to measure the influence of doctors' attire on patient confidence.

PATIENTS

Japanese outpatients consecutively chosen from waiting rooms at St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo for one week in October 2008.

RESULTS

Of 2,272 outpatients enrolled, 1483 (67.1%) of respondents were women. Mean age of subjects was 53.8 years (SD 16.2 years). Respondents most preferred the white coat (mean rank: 4.18, SD: 0.75) and preferred casual attire the least (mean rank: 2.32, SD: 0.81). For female physicians, 1.4% of respondents ranked the white coat little/least preferred while 64.7% of respondents ranked casual wear little/least preferred. Among respondents who most preferred the white coat for physician attire, perceived hygiene (62.7%) and inspiring confidence (59.3%) were important factors for doctor's attire. Around 70% of all respondents reported that physicians' attire has an influence on their confidence in their physician.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms that Japanese outpatients prefer a white coat. Furthermore, this study strongly suggests that wearing a white coat could favorably influence patients' confidence in the relationship with their physician in all types of practice.

Intentions and willingness to use complementary and alternative medicines: what potential patients believe about CAMs

This paper explores the intentions and willingness of a sample of Australian consumers (N=356) to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Participants considered using CAMs at least once in the next 2 months and rated the likelihood of certain consequences of CAM use, whether important others would approve, and if barriers would prevent them from using CAMs. People intending to use CAMs (high intenders) were more likely than those low on intention (low intenders) to endorse positive outcomes of CAM use and believe that important others would support their CAM use. High intenders were less likely than low intenders to believe that barriers would prevent use. Low intenders (n=200) were also asked to consider their response to a free CAM trial. Those willing to accept a trial were more likely than those unwilling to believe that CAMs could improve health and less likely to believe that laziness would prevent use. These results identify important beliefs which may influence people's decisions to use CAMs.