open access

Vol 83, No 7 (2012)
ARTICLES
Get Citation

Influence of social competence of physicians on patient compliance with osteoporosis medications – a study on Polish postmenopausal women

Nadia Bryl, Wanda Horst-Sikorska, Magdalena Ignaszak-Szczepaniak, Michalina Marcinkowska, Michał Michalak, Ewa Sewerynek
Ginekol Pol 2012;83(7).

open access

Vol 83, No 7 (2012)
ARTICLES

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the impact of social competence of physicians on the effectiveness of patient compliance and persistence with therapy. Material and methods: The study included physicians and their patients, previously diagnosed with osteoporosis, and eligible to receive pharmacological treatment. The physicians were evaluated with the Social Competence Questionnaire involving three dimensions: social exposure, intimacy and assertiveness, as well as in the combined scale. All patients in the study group were prescribed the same medication: alendronate once a week. Compliance and persistence of the patients were juxtaposed with social interaction skills of physicians during 7 scheduled appointments at 2-month intervals. Results: Doctor’s effectiveness in situations demanding close interpersonal contact was higher in the group with good compliance - group A (p<0.001), as well as in the situations of social exposure, (p<0.001). On the other hand, their assertiveness was higher in the group with poor compliance – group B (p<0.001). Co-morbid conditions (group A: 76%, group B: 74%), as well as earlier fractures (40.43% vs. 36.78%) were comparable in both groups. Disease acceptance and suggested methods of treatment were more often accepted by patients from group A than group B (56% vs. 33%, respectively). Conclusions: 1. Disease acceptance is essential for effective treatment. 2. Social skills of physicians influence patient adherence to therapy recommendations. 3. Close interpersonal contact between physicians and their patients eliminates the feeling of fear and increases patient compliance.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the impact of social competence of physicians on the effectiveness of patient compliance and persistence with therapy. Material and methods: The study included physicians and their patients, previously diagnosed with osteoporosis, and eligible to receive pharmacological treatment. The physicians were evaluated with the Social Competence Questionnaire involving three dimensions: social exposure, intimacy and assertiveness, as well as in the combined scale. All patients in the study group were prescribed the same medication: alendronate once a week. Compliance and persistence of the patients were juxtaposed with social interaction skills of physicians during 7 scheduled appointments at 2-month intervals. Results: Doctor’s effectiveness in situations demanding close interpersonal contact was higher in the group with good compliance - group A (p<0.001), as well as in the situations of social exposure, (p<0.001). On the other hand, their assertiveness was higher in the group with poor compliance – group B (p<0.001). Co-morbid conditions (group A: 76%, group B: 74%), as well as earlier fractures (40.43% vs. 36.78%) were comparable in both groups. Disease acceptance and suggested methods of treatment were more often accepted by patients from group A than group B (56% vs. 33%, respectively). Conclusions: 1. Disease acceptance is essential for effective treatment. 2. Social skills of physicians influence patient adherence to therapy recommendations. 3. Close interpersonal contact between physicians and their patients eliminates the feeling of fear and increases patient compliance.
Get Citation

Keywords

osteoporosis, patient adherence, doctor-patient relations, communication

About this article
Title

Influence of social competence of physicians on patient compliance with osteoporosis medications – a study on Polish postmenopausal women

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 83, No 7 (2012)

Page views

532

Article views/downloads

759

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2012;83(7).

Keywords

osteoporosis
patient adherence
doctor-patient relations
communication

Authors

Nadia Bryl
Wanda Horst-Sikorska
Magdalena Ignaszak-Szczepaniak
Michalina Marcinkowska
Michał Michalak
Ewa Sewerynek

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp. z o.o., ul. Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk
tel.:+48 58 320 94 94, faks:+48 58 320 94 60, e-mail:  viamedica@viamedica.pl