• Brian Taylor Slingsby, Seiji Yamada, and Akira Akabayashi.
• Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
• J Gen Intern Med. 2006 Oct 1; 21 (10): 105710621057-62.

BackgroundFew studies have explored how physicians approach medical encounters in Japan.ObjectiveThis study examined how Japanese physicians conduct routine medical encounters in the context of outpatient care to patients with nonmalignant disorders.DesignQualitative study using semi-structured interviews and direct observation.SettingThe outpatient department of a general hospital located in an urban area of Japan.ParticipantsPhysicians and nurses providing care and patients receiving care for nonmalignant disorders.ResultsA 2-dimensional model was developed, with patient communication (how physician interacted with patients) along 1 axis, and nurse communication (how physicians collaborated with nursing staff) along the other axis. Four physician communication styles (individually adaptive, individually defined, collaboratively adaptive, and collaboratively defined) were identified as typical ways in which the Japanese physicians in the sample interacted with patients and nurses during routine medical encounters.ConclusionsResults suggest the need for a multiprovider-patient model of medical communication among physician, nurse, and patient. Further research is needed to establish the applicability of this model to the communication styles of physicians in other countries.

13 keywords...

hide…