The Physician-Patient Relationship in Primary Care Practice

Abstract

The physician-patient relationship in primary care is a critical factor in the health care system because it predicts a variety of health outcome measures and quality of care. The relationship is defined by a variety of physician characteristics, patient characteristics, and the interaction between them. Psychologists, physicians, and health care policy researchers are currently interested in this relationship because the health care system in the United States is changing rapidly. This paper reviews extant research examining characteristics that influence the physician-patient relationship, the importance of the physician-patient relationship, the current organizational and social context of the physician-patient relationship, and potential future directions. Limitations of current research and suggestions for future work are discussed.