Online Program

282510
Examining the association between perceived quality of patient-provider relationships and provider avoidance, CAM use, and CAM use disclosure


Monday, November 4, 2013

Jennifer Faith, MS, School of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, Oregon State University - College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Corvallis, OR
Sheryl Thorburn, PhD, MPH, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, School of Social and Behavioral Health Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Kimberly Tippens, ND, MSAOM, MPH, Helfgott Research Institute, National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR
Patients' perceptions of the quality of their relationships with health care providers may influence their interactions with providers and health care seeking behavior. For example, patients who view their relationships with health care providers negatively may avoid providers, and they may seek alternative types of health care and therapies, including complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Additionally, these patients may be less likely to disclose their use of CAM to their providers, which is an essential component of effectively coordinating CAM and conventional care. The objective of this study was to examine the association between perceived quality of patient-provider relationships and provider avoidance, as well as use and disclosure of CAM. Data come from the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey, which used a dual-mode telephone and mail multistage sampling design. Data were weighted to make the results representative of the U.S. population 18 years and older. In logistic regression analyses adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, having a regular source of care, and health status, poorer perceived quality of patient-provider relationships was significantly associated with provider avoidance (AOR = 2.40, CI: 1.47, 3.93) and CAM use (AOR = 2.39, CI: 1.18, 4.83), but not with disclosure of CAM use. Our findings suggest that further research to examine the impact of patient-provider relationships on patient behavior is warranted. In particular, studies are needed that examine the quality of patient-provider relationships in greater depth, explore its association with use of different CAM modalities, and examine additional predictors of CAM disclosure.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the association between perceived quality of the patient-provider relationship and use of CAM. Describe the association between perceived quality of the patient-provider relationship and provider avoidance.

Keyword(s): Care Seeking, Alternative Medicine/Therapies

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a PhD student in public health with training in data analysis and experience working with large datasets.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.