Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Figure 1
Examples of time spent with patients over the 6-month period.
C/P=care plus (nurse plus general practitioner); Diet=dietitian; GP=general practitioner; NS=nurse; OP=optometrist; Pod=podiatrist; PT=patient.
Notes: In example 1, the patient had 4 contacts in 6 months (1 with the general practitioner, 2 with the practice nurse, 1 with an optometrist), and consultation times ranged from 10 to 70 minutes. In example 2, the patient had 11 contacts with a variety of professionals in 6 months, and consultation times ranged from 10 to 85 minutes. Spacing of encounters does not reflect actual intervals between them.
Additional Files
The Article in Brief
A Longitudinal Study of Interactions Between Health Professionals and People With Newly Diagnosed Diabetes
Anthony Dowell , and colleagues
Background The quality of communication between clinicians and patients can make a significant difference in health outcomes. In order to gain an in-depth picture of communication processes in a primary health care team over time, this study directly observes patients newly diagnosed with diabetes as they interact with their clinicians.
What This Study Found When patients are diagnosed with diabetes, primary care clinicians display high levels of technical knowledge and communication skill, but initial consultations are often driven by biomedical explanations out of context from patient experience. A qualitative study of 32 patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes found strengths in primary care interactions including high levels of communication skills, coordination of services, and significant allocation of time with patients. Challenges to optimal care remain, however. Despite high levels of generic communication expertise by clinicians, many patients found the style and content of health promotion and lifestyle advice not applicable to their lives. Similarly, although sufficient time was allocated, it was not well coordinated between health professionals. Other concerns included overuse of a checklist approach and a need for more effective methods of sharing patient information.
Implications
- The findings highlight the important role that communication plays in diabetes management and the commitment of primary care teams to engage with patient care. The authors recommend that clinicians employ a biopsychosocial framework for communications with newly diagnosed diabetes patients and coordinate allocation of time when patients see multiple clinicians.
