Physician communication and patient adherence to treatment: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Numerous empirical studies from various populations and settings link patient treatment adherence to physician-patient communication. Meta-analysis allows estimates of the overall effects both in correlational research and in experimental interventions involving the training of physicians' communication skills.

Objectives

Calculation and analysis of "r effect sizes" and moderators of the relationship between physician's communication and patient adherence, and the effects of communication training on adherence to treatment regimens for varying medical conditions.

Methods

Thorough search of published literature (1949-August 2008) producing separate effects from 106 correlational studies and 21 experimental interventions. Determination of random effects model

SUBMITTER: Zolnierek KB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2728700 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature