PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Cleveland G. Shields
AU  - Ronald M. Epstein
AU  - Kevin Fiscella
AU  - Peter Franks
AU  - Robert McCann
AU  - Kevin McCormick
AU  - Julie B. Mallinger
TI  - Influence of Accompanied Encounters on Patient-Centeredness with Older Patients
AID  - 10.3122/jabfm.18.5.344
DP  - 2005 Sep 01
TA  - The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
PG  - 344--354
VI  - 18
IP  - 5
4099  - http://www.jabfm.org/content/18/5/344.short
4100  - http://www.jabfm.org/content/18/5/344.full
SO  - J Am Board Fam Med2005 Sep 01; 18
AB  - Objectives: To conduct a pilot study to examine physician patient interaction when elderly patients are accompanied during a medical visit.Methods: This was a study in which 30 patients were randomly assigned to be accompanied (13) or unaccompanied (17) during a regular medical visit to their physician. Visits were tape recorded, transcribed, and coded with the Measure of Patient-Centered Communication (MPCC) and with the Rochester Participatory Decision-Making Scale (RPAD).Results: We found no differences between the number of words spoken in accompanied versus unaccompanied visits, comparing patients alone with patients and companions combined. Physicians spoke longer without interruption in accompanied encounters (39.9 vs 78.6 words per speech turn). There were no differences in the level of MPCC or in the level of participatory decision making between the 2 types of visits. In accompanied visits, patients introduced most of the concerns and physicians discussed concerns with patients more than with companions.Conclusions: Previously reported differences in accompanied versus unaccompanied visits may reflect patients’ preferences for being accompanied, the role they wish their companion to play, and the patients’ health status. Being accompanied by a family member or friend does not result in less attention being paid to patients’ concerns.