Family Practice Vol. 20, No. 6, 635-641
© Oxford University Press 2003, all rights reserved
Article |
A caring partnership
Expectations of ageing persons with disabilities for their primary care doctors
a Department of Family Medicine and b Program in Geriatrics, University of California Irvine College of Medicine, Orange, California, USA
Correspondence to Johanna Shapiro, PhD, Department of Family Medicine, UC Irvine Medical Center, 101 City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868, USA; E-mail: jfshapir{at}uci.edu
Background. The population of individuals who are ageing with a disability is growing rapidly, yet we know little about their views of their primary care and family physicians.
Method. In this qualitative study using a modified form of life history interviewing, 30 older respondents with a variety of disabilities discussed their past and current relationships with physicians.
Results. Data analysis identified as the primary theme of these interviews the importance of establishing a caring partnership between patient and physician. Important subthemes included physician avoidance of assumptions and stereotypes about persons with disabilities, physician commitment to patient well-being balanced by a capacity for keeping the disability in perspective, and the relationship between the need for physician specialized knowledge and the necessity of acknowledging patient expertise. Certain patient characteristics such as self-reliance and assertiveness also emerged as significant influences.
Conclusion. A partnership with primary care/family physicians that communicates concern while avoiding stereotyping and recognizing patient expertise is important for many patients ageing with a disability.
Keywords. Ageing, disabilities, doctor–patient communication, doctor–patient relationship, patient satisfaction.