• Jairo N Fuertes, Laura S Boylan, and Jessie A Fontanella.
• Division of Psychological & Educational Services, Counseling Psychology Program, Fordham University, Graduate School of Education, New York, NY 10023, USA. fuertes@fordham.edu
• J Gen Intern Med. 2009 Jan 1; 24 (1): 808580-5.

BackgroundThe working alliance has been shown to be a consistent predictor of patient outcome and satisfaction in psychotherapy. This study examines the role of the working alliance and related behavioral indices in predicting medical outcome.ObjectiveCognitive and emotional dimensions of the physician-patient relationship were examined in relation to patients' ratings of physician empathy, physician multicultural competence, perceived utility of treatment, and patients' adherence self-efficacy. These factors were then examined as part of a theoretical framework using path analyses to explain patient self-reported adherence to and satisfaction with treatment.DesignThe study was based on an ex-post facto field correlation design.ParticipantsOne hundred fifty-two adult outpatients from a neurology clinic at Bellevue Hospital, a large municipal hospital in New York City, participated in the study.InterventionsSurveys given to participants.MeasurementsWe used the following measurements: Physician-Patient Working Alliance Scale, Perceived Utility Scale, Treatment Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale, Medical Outcome Study Adherence Scale, Physician Empathy Questionnaire, Physician Multicultural Competence Questionnaire, Medical Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire.Main ResultsThe effect sizes for adherence are between 0.07 and 0.21 and for satisfaction between 0.10 to >0.50. Regression and path analyses showed that ratings of physician multicultural competence and patient adherence self-efficacy beliefs predicted patient adherence (SB = 0.34) and (SB = 0.30) and satisfaction (SB = 0.18) and (SB = 0.12), respectively. Working alliance ratings also predicted patient satisfaction (SB = 0.49).ConclusionsPsychological and interpersonal dimensions of medical care are related to patient adherence and satisfaction. Medical care providers may be able to use these dimensions to target and improve health care outcomes.

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