Game of Mirrors: Health Profiles in Patient and Physician Perceptions

Daniele Fineschi, Sofia Acciai, Margherita Napolitani, Giovanni Scarafuggi, Gabriele Messina, Giovanni Guarducci and Nicola Nante
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Daniele Fineschi: Local Health Unit Tuscany South-East, 53100 Siena, Italy
Sofia Acciai: Local Health Unit Tuscany South-East, 53100 Siena, Italy
Margherita Napolitani: Post Graduate School of Public Health, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Giovanni Scarafuggi: Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Gabriele Messina: Post Graduate School of Public Health, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Giovanni Guarducci: Post Graduate School of Public Health, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Nicola Nante: Post Graduate School of Public Health, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-8

Abstract: The relationship between general practitioners and patients is privileged. The aim of this study was to assess the concordance between the health profile perceived by the patient and the one described by the doctor. We conducted a cross-sectional study between 2019–2020. Patients completed the 5d-5L (EQ-p) and clinicians completed it “from the patient’s perspective” (EQ-d), also consulting the clinical diary. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 14 (Cohen’s kappa; Fisher’s exact test). The sample consisted of 423 patients. The mean age was 56.7 ± 19.2. There were significant differences by gender in usual activities, pain, and anxiety/depression (74.6% of men had no limitation in usual activities versus 64.5% of women ( p < 0.01), 53.9% of men had no pain versus 38.5% of women ( p < 0.01), and 60.3% of men had no anxiety/depression versus 38.5% of women ( p < 0.01)). Physicians did not detect these differences. The concordance between EQ-p and EQ-d was substantial for mobility (k = 0.62; p < 0.01), moderate for self-care (k = 0.48; p < 0.01) and usual activities (k = 0.50; p < 0.01). Concordance was fair for pain/discomfort (k = 0.32; p < 0.01), anxiety/depression (k = 0.38; p < 0.01), and EQ Index (k = 0.21; p < 0.01). There was greater agreement for “objective “dimensions (mobility, self-care, and usual activities). A good doctor, to be considered as such, must try to put himself in the “patient’s pajamas” to feel his feelings and be on the same wavelength.

Keywords: empathy; euroqol; health-related quality of life; general practitioner; patient different perception (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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