The Relation Between Health-Orientation, Provider-Patient Communication, and Satisfaction: An Individual-Difference Approach

Abstract

This article further examines the consumerist model of physician-patient interaction, documenting the role of health orientation in the realm of participatory communication in medical encounters. It articulates that physician-patient communication style mediates the positive relation between health orientation and relationship satisfaction. Based on a nationally representative sample of 2,636 respondents (48% men and 52% women) gathered in 1999, the study results support the mediating mechanism for key health-orientation variables such as health-consciousness attitude, health-information orientation, health-oriented beliefs, and healthy activities. As opposed to the development of universal communicative interventions that equip patients with communication skills, the project documents the importance of tailoring the health care provider's communicative style depending on the needs of the patient.