Improved health outcomes in integrative medicine visits may reflect differences in physician and patient behaviors compared to standard medical visits.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To identify differences in patient-physician interactions associated with improvements in GERD symptoms in a randomized controlled trial comparing integrative medicine and primary care/standard visits.

Methods

We analyzed video recordings of 2-minute excerpts (thin slices) from the beginning, middle, and end of 21 study visits (11 standard, 10 integrative medicine).

Results

According to blind coders' analysis of the excerpts, prospective improvement in GERD symptoms was most highly correlated with patients appearing pleased (r = 0.71, p < 0.01) and friendly (r = 0.67, p < 0.01) at the end of the visit, controlling for visit type. The combination of patient and physician smiling at the end of the visit was associated with improvement in GERD symptoms (r²

SUBMITTER: Dossett ML 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7855201 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature