Researchers studied the frequency of physician-initiated behaviors known to improve patient experience and boost perception of physician empathy, including introducing oneself, explaining one’s role in the patient’s care, touching the patient, asking open-ended questions and sitting down with the patient.
Researchers observed 29 residents complete 732 patient encounters, recording the frequency of each behavior and asking residents to self-report frequency of each behavior after visiting with a patient. Researchers discovered:
- While 80 percent of residents recalled introducing themselves, only 40 percent actually did.
- While 80 percent thought they had explained their role in patient care, though only 37 percent had done so.
- While 58 percent reported sitting down with patients during visits, only 9 percent had actually done so.
- Interns touched patients 65 percent of the time and asked open-ended questions 75 percent of the time.
The study concluded physicians may overestimate their practice of etiquette-based medicine, which may contribute to the disconnect between quality of care and patient satisfaction.
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