A model of contributors to a trusting patient-physician relationship: a critical review using a systematic search strategy

Exploring the Gender Preferences for Healthcare Providers and Their Influence on Patient Satisfaction

Background: Patient satisfaction is a key indicator for improving healthcare delivery, yet the influence of gender preferences on healthcare providers remains underexplored. Cultural norms and gender perceptions often shape the patient preferences, affecting access to care, patient-provider relationships, and overall satisfaction. Thus, this study investigates the patients' gender preferences and their impact on satisfaction in Tanzania. Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional design, collecting data from five health centres: Mikongeni, Konga, Mzumbe, Tangeni, and Mlali. A total of 240 randomly selected respondents participated in the study. Gender preferences were categorized as male, female, and both, and determinants were analyzed using a multivariate probit model (MPM), while satisfaction was analyzed using an ordered logit model (OLM). Results: Results reveal that female providers were preferred for empathy (58.30%), intimate care (50.00%), and receptionist roles (50.00%), while males were favored for surgery (50.00%), professionalism (0.86), and IT roles (41.70%). Professionalism (0.75) and communication (0.70) had the strongest positive effects on very high satisfaction. Male provider preference was strongly linked to higher satisfaction (0.84), while female preference showed a mild effect (0.23). Insurance (0.32) and care at Tangeni Health Centre (0.70) boosted satisfaction, while consultation fees (-0.26) reduced it. Conclusions: The study recommends that healthcare systems address gender stereotypes by equipping all providers with both technical and relational care skills, regardless of gender. It also highlights the need for culturally and religiously sensitive care practices that acknowledge how societal norms shape patient preferences and satisfaction. To enhance patient-centered care, policies should promote affordability, broaden insurance coverage, and integrate patient feedback on gender preferences into healthcare delivery models.

The Power of Active Listening to Address Medication Non-Adherence During Care Transition: A Case Report of a Polypharmacy Patient with Type 2 Diabetes

This case report explores the experience of a newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patient transitioning from passive non-adherence to active adherence over a two-month period following hospital discharge. During this two-month period, he participated in four exploratory, non-interventional research interviews investigating his medication adherence, beliefs, and self-management strategies. His feedback on these research interviews highlighted the role of key communication strategies-such as patient partnership, non-judgmental communication, and interprofessional active listening-in fostering self-reflection and behavioural change. While these techniques are well-documented, there remains an urgent need to translate them into routine practice by integrating behavioural science and interprofessional collaboration into healthcare pregraduate and postgraduate education in order to increase awareness and skills in clinical environments.

Preference for palliative care among low-income advanced cancer patients in Mainland China: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have highlighted the significant impact of income on access to palliative care. However, few studies have explored the treatment preferences of low-income patients with advanced cancer. These individuals require additional support in terms of palliative care, including financial psychological, spiritual, and social assistance. Therefore, it is essential to conduct more qualitative research with a particular emphasis on the preferences of this population.

AIM

To explore the preference and influencing factors of palliative care among low-income advanced cancer patients in mainland China.

DESIGN

A qualitative study design with a hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 23 low-income advanced cancer patients in mainland China. The collected data was analyzed thematically using Giorgi's methodology. The COREQ checklist was used.

RESULTS

Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Economic status is crucial for palliative preference selection, which affects the patient's choice of treatment, drugs and whether to continue with palliative care; (2) Family members and medical personnels' support strengthens determination to receive palliative treatment; (3) The Chinese traditional culture of returning to one's roots influences the choice of place of death, surgery and intubation; (4) Patients with advanced cancer tend to prefer the comfort care, refuse to be awakened and agree to sedation to reduce consciousness and thus relieve suffering.

CONCLUSIONS

The preferences of low-income patients with advanced cancer were influenced by economic status, social support, cultural beliefs, and the desire to alleviate suffering. Therefore, medical professionals should be patient with patients, respect them, and provide psychological support. And strengthen patients' economic support by improving medical insurance policies and providing social assistance. At the same time, medical policymakers and clinical staff should respect patients' cultural values and treatment preferences when developing treatment plans.

The Relationship Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Treatment Adherence: The Moderating Effect of Self-Compassion on the Chain Mediation Model

Purpose

The low follow-up compliance of young and middle-aged patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary nodules warrants attention, primarily due to a series of factors such as occupational, familial, and social pressures. Enhancing follow-up adherence is essential for preventing pulmonary nodule progression and reducing lung cancer mortality. Existing research indicates that intolerance of uncertainty is closely associated with patients' follow-up compliance; however, further in-depth investigation into its influencing mechanisms and potential improvement strategies is required.

Patients and Methods

This study conducted a questionnaire survey among 319 young and middle-aged patients newly diagnosed with pulmonary nodules, examining the moderating effect of self-compassion on follow-up compliance and investigating the chain intermediary role of negative interpretation bias and trust in linking intolerance of uncertainty to follow-up compliance.

Results

The study found that women, urban residents, and patients over 50 years old demonstrated relatively higher follow-up compliance. Intolerance of uncertainty was found to negatively predict follow-up compliance and indirectly influenced patients' follow-up behavior through the mediating effects of negative interpretation bias and trust. Furthermore, self-compassion significantly moderated the relationship between trust and follow-up compliance.

Conclusion

The findings provide a solid theoretical foundation for developing multidimensional interventions targeting both protective and risk factors. Specifically, mitigating the impact of intolerance of uncertainty on follow-up compliance can improve long-term patient health outcomes. The novel application of the chain mediation model provides valuable insights for future research and clinical practice, particularly in enhancing patient engagement and adherence to follow-up care. Future longitudinal studies are needed to explore additional influencing factors and validate these findings.

Acceptance of Illness and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients After Myocardial Infarction-Narrative Review

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases, particularly myocardial infarction (MI), significantly impact patients' lives, causing stress and prompting varied responses to illness. Aim and methods: We conducted a narrative review concerning the acceptance of illness and quality of life in post-MI patients. Based on an extensive search of the available literature, this review consolidates current evidence on the proposed topic. Conclusions and implications: While some patients struggle with acceptance and face emotional distress, others who accept their condition are more likely to engage in treatment and lifestyle changes, leading to an improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Following an MI, patients often experience depression, anxiety, and stress, complicating their acceptance of the illness. Risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, play a significant role in influencing HRQoL in post-MI patients. An accurate assessment of HRQoL is crucial for tailoring effective treatments and support strategies to enhance patient outcomes and identify those most at risk of developing post-MI depression or anxiety. Effective physician-patient and nurse-patient communication and support from family might be helpful in recovery. Cardiac rehabilitation improves patients' outcomes and HRQoL. This review underscores the importance of integrating psychological support with optimal medical care to improve patient prognosis and enhance the HRQoL of individuals recovering from MI. The healthcare system could implement routine psychological assessments for MI patients at admission and discharge to establish a baseline for follow-up. Future research should explore effective psychological interventions, the interplay of CVD risk factors and psychosocial aspects, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in personalized care, and the cost-effectiveness of integrated treatment models.

Perceived doctor-patient relationship, authentic leadership and organizational climate on physician burnout: job satisfaction as a mediator

BACKGROUND

This study aims to investigate the direct associations among perceived doctor-patient relationship, authentic leadership, organizational climate, and job burnout, as well as the indirect pathways through job satisfaction, with the aim of offering potential preventive strategies at the organizational level.

METHODS

A total of 399 physicians from six tertiary hospitals in Anhui Province were enrolled by purposive sampling method. Structural equation modeling was performed to examine the proposed model.

RESULTS

The average score of the participants' job burnout was 35.22 (SD: 12.14), and the burnout rate was found to be 55.7%. Perceived doctor-patient relationship, organizational climate directly influenced job burnout. Perceived doctor-patient relationship, authentic leadership and organizational climate also indirectly influenced burnout through job satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study underscores the significant influence of the perceived doctor-patient relationship, authentic leadership and organizational climate in mitigating burnout, and further reveals that job satisfaction serves to alleviate burnout. It is crucial to emphasize the importance of both internal and external psychosocial and organizational environmental factors. Additionally, the study highlights the pivotal role of job satisfaction in influencing physician burnout.