Archives of Internal Medicine
Physician Self-disclosure in Primary Care Visits: Enough About You, What About Me?
Background: The value of physician self-disclosure (MD-SD) in creating successful patient-physician partnerships has not been demonstrated.
Methods: To describe antecedents, delivery, and effects of MD-SD in primary care visits, we conducted a descriptive study using sequence analysis of transcripts of 113 unannounced, undetected, standardized patient visits to primary care physicians. Our main outcome measures were the number of MD-SDs per visit; number of visits with MD-SDs; word count; antecedents, timing, and effect of MD-SD on subsequent physician and patient communication; content and focus of MD-SD.
Results: The MD-SDs included discussion of personal emotions and experiences, families and/or relationships, professional descriptions, and personal experiences with the patient's diagnosis. Seventy-three MD-SDs were identified in 38 (34%) of 113 visits. Ten MD-SDs (14%) were a response to a patient question. Forty-four (60%) followed patient symptoms, family, or feelings; 29 (40%) were . . . [Full Text of this Article]
Archives of Dermatology
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
Archives of Surgery
