Journal of general internal medicine
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Multicenter Study
Quality of life is impaired in men with chronic prostatitis: the Chronic Prostatitis Collaborative Research Network.
Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) impairment may be a central component of chronic prostatitis for men afflicted with this condition. Our objective was to examine HRQOL, and factors associated with HRQOL, using both general and condition-specific instruments. ⋯ Men with chronic prostatitis experience impairment in the mental and physical domains of general HRQOL, as well as condition-specific HRQOL. To optimize the care of men with this condition, clinicians should consider administering HRQOL instruments to their patients to better understand the impact of the condition on patients' lives.
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To identify the preferences and concerns of seriously ill patients about discussing religious and spiritual beliefs with physicians. ⋯ Religion and spirituality are a source of comfort for many patients. Although not necessarily expecting physicians to discuss spirituality, patients want physicians to ask about coping and support mechanisms. This exploratory study suggests that if patients then disclose the importance of spiritual beliefs in their lives, they would like physicians to respect these values.
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Specific elements of health care process and physician behavior have been shown to influence disenrollment decisions in HMOs, but not in outpatient settings caring for patients with diverse types of insurance coverage. ⋯ Failure of physicians to acknowledge patient concerns, provide explanations of care, and spend sufficient time with patients may contribute to patients' decisions to discontinue care at their usual site of care.