A recent study has revealed that the novel coronavirus disease or COVID-19 pandemic, as well as related restrictions such as lockdowns and physical distancing, have created barriers to doctor-patient communication and may have worsened trust in doctors.
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| Photo: COVID-19 Impact on Doctor-Patient Communication | InStyleHealth |
Investigators cross-sectionally surveyed 359 individuals
attending a tertiary care center in Chennai, India, seeking care at the outpatient
department, in wards, or in isolation facilities. Participants were asked to
respond to a questionnaire created to assess perceptions in three major areas:
difficulties in accessing the health facility, difficulties in doctor-patient
communication, and trust in doctors.
The majority of the participants either agreed or
somewhat agreed that the lockdown made it difficult for them to access health
facilities. Furthermore, physical distancing, facial masks, and personal protective
equipment often made it difficult to understand doctor’s instruction, weakening
the patient-doctor communication, according to over 60% of the participants who
responded the survey.
More than 80% of respondents, nonetheless, said that
they still trusted doctors, indicated by their high level of respect and belief
that physicians do what is in their patients’ best interests.
Utilizing multivariable linear regression analysis, on
the other hand, revealed that difficulties in communication, as well as a
higher level of education, was a significant deterrent to trust.
Researchers said that, “The COVID-19 experience has taught
us that during pandemic times, while it is important to focus on public health
measures, it is equally important to keep people at the center of the healthcare
enterprise.”
The study, added the experts, further contributed to
this idea by clearly indicating that doctor-patient communication and trust are
very important considerations during pandemic times.
Source: PLoS One 2021;doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0253497