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Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2021

01-12-2021 | COVID-19 | Research

Doctor-patient relationship improved during COVID-19 pandemic, but weakness remains

Authors: Yanan Zhou, Yuejiao Ma, Winson Fu Zun Yang, Qiuxia Wu, Qianjin Wang, Dongfang Wang, Honghong Ren, Yinli Luo, Dong Yang, Tieqiao Liu, Xiaoming Wu

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Objective

To assess the quality of the doctor-patient relationship (DPR) in China and possible influencing factors during the COVID-19 period from the patient’s perspective.

Methods

An online survey was carried out nationwide from March 12, 2020 to March 30, 2020 in China via a convenience sampling strategy. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were invited to complete a questionnaire regarding the quality of DPR, including sociodemographic information, the Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire (PDRQ-9), and influencing factors for DPR during the pandemic.

Results

A total of 1903 patients were included. Our result showed that participants had a higher PDRQ-9 score during the COVID-19 pandemic (4.18 ± 0.51) than that before the COVID-19 pandemic (3.86 ± 0.67). Importance-performance analysis (IPA) revealed that doctor-patient communication, patient satisfaction, consultation time, doctor’s attitude, and medical knowledge were specific aspects that needed to be prioritized to improve the DPR. Multiple linear regression analysis suggested that positive media reports, telemedicine, and national policies had a significantly positive effect on the DPR during the pandemic (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In general, the DPR had been improved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our research found the key points that needed to be prioritized to improve the DPR during the pandemic, which may provide effective suggestions for building a harmonious DPR in the future.
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Metadata
Title
Doctor-patient relationship improved during COVID-19 pandemic, but weakness remains
Authors
Yanan Zhou
Yuejiao Ma
Winson Fu Zun Yang
Qiuxia Wu
Qianjin Wang
Dongfang Wang
Honghong Ren
Yinli Luo
Dong Yang
Tieqiao Liu
Xiaoming Wu
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
COVID-19
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-021-01600-y

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